Today, Senate Bill 1559, the Access to Affordable Insulin Act, passed the Illinois House unanimously and then passed a vote on the Senate floor shortly after. SB1559 included House Amendment 004, which detailed three major changes to the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.

The full language in House Amendment 004 included:

(c) Entities awarded a license under this Article shall not be required to pay any fee required under Section 40-10 of this Article, the nonrefundable renewal fee required under Section 40-40 of this Article, or any other license fee required under this Article or by rule from January 1, 2024 to January 1, 2027.

(d) From January 1, 2023 through January 1, 2027, the Department shall not make the application available for transporting organization licenses.

(e) Upon completion of the disparity and availability study published by the Illinois Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer under subsection (e) of Section 5-45, the Department may modify or change the licensing application process to reduce or eliminate barriers and remedy discrimination identified in the study. Beginning January 1, 2027, the Department of Agriculture shall make the applications available on every January 7 thereafter or, if that date falls on a weekend or holiday, the business day immediately succeeding the weekend or holiday and shall receive the applications no later than March 15 or the succeeding business day thereafter.

“The passage of SB1559 through both chambers of the General Assembly is another step towards guaranteeing Illinois is the home of an equitable legal cannabis system that does not disregard the injustices of the past,” Governor JB Pritzker said. “The two-year moratorium on new transporter licenses will allow the current, smaller independent transporters to secure contracts and grow their businesses. License holders will also have a two-year holiday from paying annual fees to further aid these small businesses as the industry develops.”

“The Illinois Independent Cannabis Transporters Association (IICTA) is thrilled at the passage of SB1559 and so grateful to the Governor’s Office, State Rep. Ford,” said IICTA representatives. “Leader Lightford, Speaker’s Office, and all the lawmakers who supported our efforts alongside the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois. While this is an important first step to bring value to Illinois cannabis transportation licenses, there is still more work to be done. The IICTA looks forward to continuing its work with all industry stakeholders and lawmakers to create a truly equitable cannabis industry in Illinois.”

“Since day one of the fight for legalization, I have stressed that this accomplishment is meaningless without reinvestment and repair for the communities left behind by the war on drugs,” Pritzker said. “Small businesses, whether transporters, growers, or dispensaries, must be able to succeed if we wish to achieve that equity. This bill is another step on the ongoing path towards achieving that goal, and I look forward to reviewing it when it reaches my desk.”

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