Rep. Ford introduces cannabis transporting bill
Today, State Rep. La Shawn Ford introduced a new bill for cannabis transporting organizations in Illinois. House Bill 4164 would amend the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act and the Administrative Procedure Act and provide that by January 1, 2024, the Department of Agriculture shall adopt emergency rules to “begin accepting applications for the conversion of transporting organization licenses to third-party transporting organization licenses.”
HB4164 also would:
- Provide that there shall be no applicable fees for the conversion application process, and the Department shall process these applications and convert qualifying transporting organization licenses to third-party transporting organization licenses within 60 days after application submission.
- Provide that third-party transporting organizations are subject to the same standards and requirements for transporting organizations under the Act.
- Provide that a cultivation center, craft grower, infuser, or infuser agent shall not transport cannabis or cannabis-infused products and shall use third-party transporting organizations for all transports authorized under the Act, unless (1) the licensee possesses a transporting organization license, (2) the licensee requires delivery within 36 hours, and (3) the licensee has offered a right of first refusal to all third-party transporting organizations and confirmed there are no available third-party transporting organizations to complete the delivery.
“HB4164 takes critical steps to address public safety concerns and open up opportunities for third-party transporters, building a safer and more equitable cannabis industry in Illinois,” members of Illinois Independent Cannabis Transporter Association (IICTA) stated about the bill.
According to IICTA, “The temporary secure storage provision will prevent drivers from being on the road for 14-16 hours at a time, an ongoing issue that results from the current legislative framework when deliveries are rejected. Further, by providing for the conversion of third-party transporter licenses, fee waivers, and their promised share of the market, this legislation breaks down barriers minority-owned businesses are facing in Illinois’ cannabis industry. The time is now to lift up these social equity licensees, who have been blocked from participating in this multi-billion-dollar industry. This bill signifies progress, and we are so grateful to Rep. La Shawn Ford for his support, but our work advocating for inclusion and justice in cannabis continues.”
For more information about IICTA, email IICTABoard@gmail.com or visit its website, LinkedIn page, and Instagram @iicta_hq. The Illinois Independent Cannabis Transporter Association members include ACC Transport of Illinois, Piff Patch, Hands to Heart, Reliavan, Moetta’s, and Cann Transport. The fall veto session starts Oct. 24.
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