Advocates call for more equity in Illinois recreational cannabis industry
The activists said the state needs to cut red tape and lower barriers to entry.
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The activists said the state needs to cut red tape and lower barriers to entry.
Of those selected, 41% are majority Black-owned.
The artist is launching "93 Boyz" this weekend.
"The $1.5 billion in sales of adult-use cannabis in Illinois translates into significant tax revenue with a portion of every dollar spent being reinvested in communities that have suffered for decades."
The state issued 149 retail licenses on Friday, more than doubling the number of pot shops statewide.
Applicants have to finish their compliance checks before they can get their licenses.
"Black and Brown entrepreneurs are just sitting on the sidelines watching," said Akele Parnell, who won one of 185 new marijuana dispensary licenses being issued by the state after a lengthy court battle.
Despite promises of equity, legal red tape has crushed some Illinois marijuana businesses before they've even started. CBS 2's Charlie De Mar reports.
Despite promises of equity, legal red tape has crushed some businesses before they've even started.
"For us not to be open on this 4/20 is extremely frustrating."
CBS 2's Marie Saavedra talked with festival organizer Abigail Watkins.
The marijuana-friendly Waldos Forever Festival is set for Saturday – marking the first time it has been held since marijuana has been legal in Illinois for recreational use. CBS 2's Marie Saavedra talked with organizer Abigail Watkins.
April 20 may be just another day for some, but for others, it's 4/20 – an homage to marijuana.
The State of Illinois made $131 million last month alone in legal weed sales – but none of that marijuana was grown or produced by new state license winners trying to break into the industry.
The State of Illinois made $131 million last month alone in legal weed sales – but none of that marijuana was grown or produced by new state license winners trying to break into the industry. CBS 2's Tara Molina reports.
CBS 2's Tara Molina talked to two cannabis license winners who have been held up waiting to open their own businesses.
This St. Patrick's Day, the State of Illinois released an update on another kind of green – the billions of dollars in legalized weed sold in Illinois without one new license winner cleared to open in more than two years.
This St. Patrick's Day, the State of Illinois released an update on another kind of green – the billions of dollars in legalized weed sold in Illinois without one new license winner cleared to open in more than two years. CBS 2's Tara Molina talked to two entrepreneurs who remain in limbo.
Nearly $2.5 billion has poured into Illinois since recreational marijuana became legal in 2020, and with every sale, part of the tax goes to help fund community organizations.
This story is about a lottery winner – but it doesn't involve little white balls or scratch-off tickets.
Recreational marijuana sales continue to break records in Illinois, but the same companies have continued to cash in – until now.
Starting Monday, an activist group plans to stage a weeklong sit-in outside a marijuana dispensary, demanding reparations for ex-convicts who were put away for a drug that has now been made legal.
The contents of an evidence table tweeted out by the Cook County Sheriff's police on Wednesday seemed to show an assortment of packaging for familiar candy you might have received at Halloween as a kid – Nerds, Jolly Ranchers, Sweet Tarts, Starburst, Skittles. But take a closer look.
It has been more than a year since Illinois legalized and not one new operator has been given the green light to open up shop.
Marijuana sales in Illinois topped out at more than $108 million between recreational and medical dispensaries last month, state officials said Monday.
Shayde Fisher says the scammers went as far as conducting a video interview, sending official-looking employment paperwork and even mailing her a check. The whole thing turned out to be a scam.
Some people living in northwest Indiana might be waiting another week to have their power restored from last week's storm.
The new Chicago flagship store will feature three floors of books, music and gifts.
According to Chicago police, the fire engine collided with a white pickup, sending the fire truck over a curb, into a stoplight and then into a tree.
A man suffered life-threatening injuries after making contact with a ComEd line and suffering an electric shock in the north Chicago suburb of Gurnee on Tuesday.
The Justice Department is planning to deploy a record 1,000 federal monitors to polling places throughout the U.S. for the midterm elections.
Former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin announced Tuesday that he is filing a complaint against Treasurer Maria Pappas over some profanity-related texts.
Former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin is demanding an apology from Treasurer Maria Pappas for some profanity-laden text messages he says are offensive.
Zach Lahn won the Iowa Republican gubernatorial primary over Trump's endorsed candidate, but three months before Election Day, many in his own party say they still don't know who he is.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s closed-door research has yet to produce evidence linking vaccines and autism.
A new Illinois law signed by Gov. Pritzker offers up to $1,000 to eligible homeowners hit by storm damage, but the money won't be available until next year — and the program only covers certain areas of Chicago.
Illinois is one of 46 states that have reached a $15.5 million settlement with a Pennsylvania-based mortgage servicer for improperly imposing new insurance policies on homeowners who already had insurance.
The Trump administration is taking aim at power grid operator PJM Interconnection over rising electricity bills that affect Illinois and Indiana residents.
Chicago remained the most bed bug-treated city in the country, according to Orkin's latest annual rankings covering a full year of residential and commercial treatment data.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul this week warned residents cleaning up from last month's storms to be on the lookout for scams.
Researchers from the University of Chicago have uncovered some information on how space travel affects — or actually doesn't affect — the heart.
As people age, it becomes crucial to do whatever possible to protect from issues like memory loss. But leading neurologist Dr. David Perlmutter said the process actually starts well before advanced age.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is not adopting new federal child vaccine guidelines and will continue following recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
In a wide-ranging interview with the CBS News partner BBC News, Hunter Biden grew emotional as he discussed his father's condition, describing it as very sad to watch.
With the cyclosporiasis linked to iceberg lettuce growing and consumers wary of the products on grocery shelves, many in Chicago are turning to local farmers market for fresh and safe greens.
The Original Rainbow Cone celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sunday with a special event at its Beverly location.
The Shops at North Bridge on the Magnificent Mile announced plans Thursday for a multimillion-dollar renovation project.
While the building that housed the flagship Ann Sather restaurant on Belmont Avenue has been torn down, the renowned Chicago restaurant chain is now set to open a new Lakeview location.
Nationally, data centers used 17.4 billion gallons of water in 2023 — a figure projected to reach 72.6 billion gallons by 2028, raising concerns about states' water supplies.
Chicago's Wishbone Restaurant will soon be closing after 36 years in business.
Madonna leads all artists with 11 nominations at this year's MTV VMAs, and a full sweep would tie her with Beyoncé and Taylor Swift for the most VMA wins in history.
Hayden Panettiere, who starred in "Remember the Titans" as a child actor and rose to fame in the series "Heroes," has died at the age of 36. The coroner's office says she was found in cardiac arrest.
Buddy Guy was honored with the Chicago Music Legend Award at the Obama Presidential Center's Chicago Culture Ball this weekend.
Bal Khabra is the author of the four-part series "Off the Ice," a college hockey romance collection that is wrapping up at just the right time.
Crews need about a week and a half to tear down the festival site before the city can begin its own inspection — and past cleanup costs have topped $1 million.
Nearly eight years after pregnant postal worker Kierra Coles went missing in Chicago, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is increasing a reward being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in her disappearance.
Wednesday's opening features a 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting followed by several author book signings throughout the day.
More than a week after Alisa Goods vanished in Las Vegas, her niece says texts from Goods' phone asking for gas money raised immediate red flags because her aunt does not drive.
Shayde Fisher from Wheeling was looking for a new career after earning her MBA online and thought she'd found the perfect fit. Then came the red flags.
The trial of a Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three children entered its 15th day of testimony on Tuesday, as jurors heard from Lindsay Clancy’s former mother-in-law while the defense continues to make its case.
NASCAR is calling off plans to bring its street race back to downtown Chicago in 2027, but is holding out hope for the event to return in the future.
The win comes after the winning ticket for the $1.04 billion Powerball jackpot was sold in Quincy, Illinois, last week.
Some DuPage County residents were woken up to tornado sirens early Tuesday morning.
Shayde Fisher says the scammers went as far as conducting a video interview, sending official-looking employment paperwork and even mailing her a check. The whole thing turned out to be a scam.
Some people living in northwest Indiana might be waiting another week to have their power restored from last week's storm.
CEO of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, Harley Johnson, gave CBS News Chicago an exclusive look inside the new park in South Chicago.
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation last inspected South Chicago Chapel funeral home in October, 10 months before 56 decomposing bodies were found there.
The discovery of dozens of decomposing bodies at a Chicago funeral home run by a couple with a history of mishandling human remains has raised questions about how Illinois regulates the funeral home and crematory industries.
An arrest at a Lululemon athletic wear store in the Gold Coast neighborhood in Chicago led investigators to a crew that was exploiting unhoused people and responsible for thefts totaling $100,000.
More violations at Chicago's Bohemian National Cemetery and Crematorium have surfaced, which is now under investigation for its role in mishandling bodies connected to the family that ran South Chicago Chapel.
NASCAR is calling off plans to bring its street race back to downtown Chicago in 2027, but is holding out hope for the event to return in the future.
A fight broke out in the stands at Wrigley Field during a Crosstown Classic game on Monday evening.
The Cubs snapped a two-game skid and ended the White Sox's three-game winning streak.
Kamilla Cardoso had 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Natasha Cloud scored 20 points.
Chicago lost for the third time in four games.
A man has been arrested and charged after authorities said he decided to make himself at home at the Macy's flagship store on State Street in downtown Chicago.
Chicago police on Tuesday asked for help from the public in solving a pair of burglaries that happened in the early-morning hours on the city's West and Northwest sides.
A man convicted of gun charges in the case involving the shooting death of Chicago police Officer Krystal Rivera has now been indicted separately on drug charges.
A man was left in critical condition early Tuesday after being shot on Chicago's Near West Side.
A 14-year-old girl suffered a graze wound from gunfire Monday morning in Chicago's Roseland neighborhood.
