The Illinois Department of Agriculture Division of Cannabis Regulation announced that “Craft Growers who were awarded an initial license with effective dates June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023, and who did not become operational prior to the previously announced blanket deadline of May 31, 2026, now have an additional opportunity to submit an operational extension application by May 31, 2026.”

If licensees fail to submit operational extension applications, IDOA may issue hearing notices for license revocations. Craft Grower Group 2 licensees were awarded licenses with effective dates ranging from June 1, 2022–May 31, 2023. The current operational deadline for Craft Grower Group 2 is May 31, 2026.

In accordance with law, “A license shall be surrendered to the Department upon written notice and demand if the Craft Grower fails to begin production within six months after the license has been issued. The Craft Grower may submit a written request to the Department for an extension of time setting forth its justification for being unable to begin production within six months after the license was issued. The Department may grant an extension, at its discretion, for good cause shown. Good cause may include unforeseen events, acts of nature and other events that prevent a good faith effort. Good cause shall not include cost overruns, insufficient financing and other factors evidencing a lack of good faith effort.”

As previously announced, due to several factors, the operational deadline for Craft Growers awarded an initial license with effective dates June 1, 2022–May 31, 2023, was extended to May 31, 2026, and will now be extended to May 31, 2027. A Group 2 Craft Grower that has not been issued an operational permit or will not be issued an operational permit from IDOA by May 31, 2026, must submit a Craft Grower Operational Extension Application Form to the Department no later than May 31, 2026. Completed Craft Grower Operational Extension Applications must be submitted to the Department at AGR.CannabisMod@illinois.gov.

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