The Illinois Senate amended the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act by passing House Bill 2380 last week.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), streamlines the application process regarding identification cards, online applications, and certain previous drug offenses.

The bill’s synopsis

• Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall follow specified requirements of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act regarding the administration of cultivation center agent identification cards
• Repeals provisions regarding cultivation center agent identification cards and dispensing organization agent identification cards. Makes other changes
• Provides that the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall issue all agent identification cards under the Act via an online application portal
• Provides that all notifications of acceptance or denial for applications under specified provisions shall be sent directly to the agent applicant

The bill is meant to ensure prospective employees at dispensary or cultivation centers have an equitable application process.

“The cannabis industry has provided a boost to the Illinois economy,” Castro said. “Streamlining the process for people to get involved in this business will ensure a more equitable, diverse workforce and bring multiple cannabis laws on the books in line with each other.”

The bill consolidates the application process for individuals who wish to work for a cannabis dispensary or cultivation center. Currently, individuals are subject to two different application processes (one for medical and one for adult-use). The bill combines the medical and adult-use cards into one application process.

Additionally, this bill removes certain drug and other offenses as “excluded offenses” for obtaining a medical dispensary license, which matches the current law.

“Equity has always been a top priority as we’ve been implementing the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act,” Castro said. “This commonsense measure continues to work toward that goal.”

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