After suspending 75 sought-after dispensary licensing one month ago, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order temporarily suspending the issuance of more than 80 adult-use cannabis craft grower, infuser and transporter licenses.

The issuing of licensing had been scheduled for July 1.

The reasons for suspending the issuance of licensing were due to “the previous application deadline extension and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” “to extend the deadline” for applicants, an to “ensure that applications are scored and awarded in a fair, deliberate and equitable manner.”

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) will announce a new date to issue up to 40 craft grower licenses, up to 40 infuser licenses, and an unlimited number of transporter licenses. View the Executive Order here.

On Thursday, June 11 Toi Hutchinson, Senior Advisor for Cannabis Control to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, told the Cook County Cannabis Commission that the awarding of craft grower, infuser and transporter licenses should not be as long of a delay as the dispensary licensing. She said that the issuance of the 75 dispensary licenses should start mid-July.

“The Pritzker Administration is committed to creating a fair and equitable adult-use cannabis industry in Illinois. IDOA is helping achieve that goal by providing Illinois residents, specifically those who live in communities that were disproportionately impacted by the failed war on drugs, with multiple entry-points to this new industry,” said Jerry Costello II, Acting IDOA Director. “The COVID-19 pandemic and the 6-week deadline extension granted to applicants have caused unforeseeable delays in the application review process.”

Once determined, IDOA will publicly announce the new date for issuing licenses.

Many applicants are now and will have to keep paying for property-rental, because Illinois required applicants to have business properties before the licenses could be awarded.

For more information about the delay in dispensary licensing, click here.