Illinois Raises Approved Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary Licenses to 46

The latest approvals will allow the existing medical cannabis dispensaries to obtain an adult use dispensing license.

The license approvals will permit the dispensary to begin adult use cannabis sales at the designated location starting Jan. 1, 2020, provided the dispensary complies with local zoning rules or other local laws.

CHICAGO—With the new marijuana legislation going into effect, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has approved 11 more “Same Site” adult use cannabis licenses, raising the number of license holders to 46.

The latest approvals will allow the existing medical cannabis dispensaries to obtain an adult use dispensing license. The state also approved the first “Secondary Site” adult use cannabis license, which will allow the existing medical cannabis dispensary to obtain an adult use dispensing organization license within a limited geographic area.

The license approvals will permit the dispensary to begin adult use cannabis sales at the designated location starting Jan. 1, 2020, provided the dispensary complies with local zoning rules or other local laws.

Starting Jan. 1, the state of Illinois permits residents who are at least 21 years old to legally possess up to 30 grams of cannabis flower and up to five grams of cannabis concentrate.

The medical dispensaries that received early approval adult use licenses are:

Greenhouse Group 2400 W. US Route 6 Morris, IL 60450

NuMed Chicago 1308 W. North Ave. Chicago, IL 60642

NuMed East Peoria 504 Riverside Dr. East Peoria, IL 61611

NuMed Urbana 105 E University Ave. Urbana, IL 61801

Windy City Cannabis Club 1137 W. 175th St. Homewood, IL 60430

Windy City Cannabis Club 8340 S. Roberts Rd. Justice, IL 60458

Windy City Cannabis Club 11425 S. Harlem Ave. Worth, IL 60425

Windy City Cannabis Club 2535 Veterans Dr. Posen, IL 60469

Trinity Compassionate Care Centers 3125 N. University St. Ste. B Peoria, IL 61604

Adult Use Only; Secondary Site

Rise – Joliet 2903 Colorado Ave. Joliet, IL 60431

Thrive Anna 87 Richview Dr. Anna, IL 62906

Thrive Harrisburg 105 Veterans Drive Harrisburg, IL 62946

In addition to opening adult use dispensaries at the same site of their medical cannabis dispensaries, existing medical cannabis dispensaries are permitted under the new state law to open a second site for adult use sales at a different location.

The state notes that in the coming months, new applicants, including social equity applicants, will have the opportunity to apply for an additional seventy- five adult use cannabis licenses. Social equity applicants are eligible for additional points on their application and for technical assistance, low-interest loans and fee reductions.

The department states that it expects to receive additional applications for early approval adult use licenses as municipalities adopt relevant zoning ordinances regarding adult use cannabis.