Legislation revamping the state’s system for awarding cannabis dispensary licenses passed the House on Tuesday.
The measure is meant to address shortcomings in the 2019 Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, specifically in regard to a license lottery that was delayed by the pandemic, controversy and legal disputes for over a year.
Amendments to House Bill 1443, sponsored by Chicago Democratic Rep. La Shawn Ford, would create two new cannabis dispensary lotteries offering 55 licenses each while addressing lingering concerns regarding the original 75 licenses established in the 2019 law.
It passed the House in a 70-33 vote with bipartisan support, but also bipartisan opposition. Democratic Rep. Carol Ammons, of Urbana questioned whether his legislation accomplished the social equity spirit of the initial cannabis legalization legislation.
Read more at marijuanamoment.net
