Craft Growers’ operational deadline extended
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and Division of Cannabis Regulation today released a notice providing reminders and general information for Craft Growers in Group 1 with an effective date between August 1, 2021–July 31, 2022, licensed under the Illinois’ Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, focusing on pre-operational deadlines and extension forms.
The announcement states, “As previously announced on December 28, 2023, due to a number of factors, the operational deadline for Craft Growers awarded an initial license with effective dates August 1, 2021–July 31, 2022, (Group 1), was extended to August 1, 2024.”IDOA intends to take under consideration a wide array of reasons when determining what is considered good cause, however an extension will not be granted solely due to insufficient financing. Completed Craft Grower Operational Extension Application Forms will be reviewed and a determination will be made on a rolling basis by August 30, 2024. This notice does not apply to Craft Growers in Group 2 with an effective date between June 1, 2022–May 31, 2023.
The statement continues, “It was announced that this was the final universal deadline extension for Craft Growers. Craft Growers, in Group 1, that will be unable to comply with the August 1, 2024 operational deadline may apply to IDOA in writing for an individual extension demonstrating that the licensee is unable to meet the required operational deadline for good cause. A license shall be surrendered to IDOA upon written notice and demand if the Craft Grower fails to begin production within 6 months after the license has been issued. The Craft Grower may submit a written request to IDOA for an extension of time setting forth its justification for being unable to begin production within 6 months after the license was issued. IDOA may grant an extension at its discretion for good cause shown. Good cause may include unforeseen events, act of nature and other events that may prevent good faith effort. Good cause shall not include cost overruns, insufficient financing and other factors evidencing a lack of good faith effort.”
A Group 1 Craft Grower that has not been issued an operational permit or will not be issued an operational permit by August 1, 2024, must submit to IDOA no later than July 31, 2024 at 5 p.m. a Craft Grower Operational Extension Application Form. The completed form should be submitted to IDOA at AGR.CannabisMod@Illinois.gov. Failure to submit a timely operational extension application may result in a notice of hearing for license revocation being issued to the Craft Grower licensee. Group 1 Craft Grower Operational Extension applicants will receive notice by E-mail at the point of contact provided on the Craft Grower Operational Extension Application Form.
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