Focusing on pre-operational deadlines and extension form, the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Division of Cannabis Regulation announced an extension for (Group 2) Craft Growers. As previously announced on Dec. 28, 2023, because of a number of factors, the operational deadline for Craft Growers awarded an initial license with effective dates, June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023, was extended to June 1, 2025. This date had been announced as the final universal deadline extension for Craft Growers. Craft Growers, in Group 2, that will be unable to comply with the June 1, 2025, 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 2 Craft Grower that has not been issued an operational permit or will not be issued an operational permit by June 1, 2025, must submit to IDOA no later than May 30, 2025, at 5 p.m. CST a Craft Grower Operational Extension Application Form. Please see attached 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. IDOA at this time 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 June 30, 2025. Group 2 Craft Grower Operational Extension applicants will receive notice by email at the point of contact provided on the Craft Grower Operational Extension Application Form.

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