The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and the Division of Cannabis Regulation released today an Informational Bulletin about changes to recurring background checks for employees in the Illinois cannabis industry.

IDOA has resolved to discontinue the practice of recurring background checks for Cannabis Industry Principal Officers, Board Members, Agents-in-Charge, and/or Agents. IDOA will require background checks only for prospective Principal Officers, Board Members, Agents-in-Charge, and Agents submitting an initial application for Licensure or Identification Card to a Licensee with which the applicant is not already associated.

Background checks will be required only for prospective Principal Officers, Board Members, Agents-in-Charge, and Agents submitting an initial application for Licensure, or submitting an initial application for Identification Card, to a Licensee and/or Ownership Structure with which the applicant is not already associated. “Initial Application” is defined as “Any application submitted by a prospective Principal Officer, Board Member, Agent-in-Charge, or Agent that represents a first step toward association with a Licensee and/or Licensee Ownership Structure.”

Any “recurring” background checks (i.e. background checks other than the background check required for Initial Application for Licensure or Agent Identification Card with a particular Licensee and/or Licensee Ownership Structure) that are “in-progress” upon the date of this bulletin’s issuance should be allowed to proceed. IDOA will review the results, as usual, and will address any consequential findings according to the established process. For any recurring background checks that are planned, but for which the renewing individual has not yet submitted payment, IDOA encourages Licensees to notify relevant Principal Officers, Board Members, Agents-in-Charge, and/or Agents of the change communicated via this Bulletin as soon as possible.

Cannabis Licensees should not view this change in IDOA practice regarding Background Checks as an indication of a “preferred” or “sanctioned” periodicity standard. Licensees are encouraged to invest in Background Checks as frequently as the Licensee deems appropriate. For questions or feedback related to this Information Bulletin, please contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Division of Cannabis Regulation by emailing AGR.AdultUse@Illinois.gov.

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