There is a lot of money to be made in the Illinois marijuana industry - $1.5 billion in fact - but data analysis shows not everyone is getting an equal chance to cash in on cannabis.
"No one would have thought that this would be a moment in time where we could really look at being owners," Hightower said."And really look at creating this space to increase generational wealth in something that had been so criminalized previously," Hightower said. Erin Johnson, who oversees marijuana operations for Illinois, said her office is working to level the playing field.
Johnson said of the conditional 192 social equity licenses awarded in July, 40% are majority Black-owned. "You are asking people who have been left out of an industry, and now asking them to have a network of individuals who have multiple millions of dollars. And that's just not something that most of us have access to," he said.
According to the state, conditional licensees may also apply for a 180-day extension for their conditional license if they "demonstrate concrete attempts to secure a location and a hardship." The extension application may be foundJohnson said to remove the barriers some owners may face, the state offers a direct forgivable loans program.
Dude, weed.
Who cares! All this race obsession is annoying
Why would anyone care what owners look like?
There where never idea of equity just Frandsen and family of well connected
Just say fairness ok?
Should I be offended that Asians are not listed? Oh wait that’s right, I don’t give a fuck
While you’re talking weed, could you also research/disclose the amount of revenue Illinois has attained since legalizing.. and what it’s going towards -to better our state
Not one single stoner gives a fuck about the color of skin of their budtender.
Maybe African Americans aren’t interested in that BS
Weed isn't racist shut up abc7
You have posted this over and over again. What a joke.
I'm sure you'll find a way to give them free money to open one. Its what you guys do.
Who cares 🤷🏿♂️
Since weed has been legalize. We have seen a jump im Murders, a jump in hit and runs, and a jump in all crimes in general. This ain’t normal weed. This shit is straight fucking craziness weed. But yeah keep it legal. Assholes.
I think Black entrepreneurs find it easier and more profitable to avoid the rules and taxes for legal sales, and who could blame them? To wit, a decent ounce costs $300 plus taxes at a dispensary, while I can buy the same thing for $120 an ounce off the street and pay no taxes.
The industry is illegal by federal law, which makes borrowing from federally back banks impossible, which limits who can enter the industry.
The good old race card.
Who cares
But….who owns the selling on the streets? If stupid Illinois wasn’t so greedy on the tax they add to marijuana, they could really deal a blow to the street sales, which is still booming.
More Marxist buzzwords
Segregationism.
You guys are a joke. Keep pushing the racial divide. That's working well.
Sounds like plenty of licenses are being issued, but people can’t come up with the $$$. Perhaps this isn’t the right industry to expect regular people to be able to jump into. Think about how people from India work to open stores and franchises.
To be honest they should never past that law . Reason why cta smells like a dispensary . People have no respect for others
Does everything have to be handed to the black community Can't they do it for themselves
Does everything have to be handed to the black community Can't they do it for themselves
Why do they have to have a shop? Random lottery numbers. That’s being equal. Not affirmative action
LMAOOO . Who needs a Dispensary when you have the CTARedLine
OMG Jesus f'ing Christ with this already with this shit. 🤦♂️
13% wants 100%
Blah blah social equity blah blah. Give all the licenses to minority owners, and women. Don't care, move on. Stop trying to further the divide.
Stop this equity crap and allow people who can succeed at the business have the license.
Nobody cares who owns the shop where they get their weed from. This is more media-driven BS.
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