Some Social Equity Applicants Say Their Own Money Is On The Line As Marijuana Licenses Are Delayed
They did everything right – secured a space, put the money up, and now they're waiting for a marijuana license.
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They did everything right – secured a space, put the money up, and now they're waiting for a marijuana license.
The lottery for licenses to run cannabis dispensaries in Illinois is set to happen in the next few weeks.
Since legalizing marijuana in Illinois the state has raked in millions in revenue, but as Illinois moved forward with handing out its first round of new licenses, many aren't convinced there is social equity in the pot game.
In the first six months of legal recreational marijuana, the State of Illinois raked in $52 million in taxes.
It has been six months since Illinois began selling marijuana for adult use, and though sales have been rising, some products can be in short supply.
More than 80 new marijuana licenses would have been announced Wednesday, but an executive order issued by Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday delayed them.
The second recreational-only marijuana dispensary in Chicago opens Wednesday, on – believe it or not - Weed Street.
Illinois is pushing back its deadline for issuing new licenses to grow, infuse and transport marijuana.
The pandemic has also totally changed how the dispensaries that are still running are operating every day.
Now that marijuana is legal in Illinois, one Chicago public school wanted to protect its students from exposure to cannabis by changing the lunch policy.
Now that marijuana is legal in Illinois the city hosted the first fair aimed at helping people get into the pot business.
Cole Dixon's arrest might be the first pot-related DUI case in the state since recreational cannabis became legal in Illinois this year.
A License Committee and full City Council vote has been delayed on Mayor Lori Lightfoot's proposal to allow on-site consumption of marijuana at licensed cigar bars, hookah lounges, and other tobacco shops.
"It's not what happens on day one, or day two or day three. It's what happens at month six. It's what happens at month 12, at month 18, at month 24. That's the roll out of this program. It's intended to be rolled out over years, not days."
If a person is pulled over for driving high, they will receive a DUI.
Recreational marijuana sales begin on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Here is some information about where they will take place.
Recreational marijuana is officially legal in Illinois.
In states where recreational marijuana is already up for sale, a legal high is sending more patients to the emergency room. Are hospitals in Chicago are prepared for when legal marijuana soon comes to Illinois?
CBS 2 reporter Vince Gerasole facilitated a Reddit Ask Me Anything on Monday to answer questions about the legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois.
As Illinois moves forward licensing dispensaries for legalized marijuana, minorities said they are getting left out of opportunities because of the high cost.
The first steps to begin clearing marijuana convictions in Cook County starts today.
Meantime, two members of Juice WRLD's security team were arrested on gun charges after they arrived at the airport.
"An individual using cannabis in their own backyard or balcony poses no direct threat to public safety, and no resident should be arrested or ticketed solely for such a scenario," the mayor said.
Hundreds of marijuana convictions could be expunged under the State of Illinois' new marijuana laws. But it's not quite that simple – or fast.
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Paramount Skydance on Friday said it would delay the deal until as late as June 2027.
Iowa announced a fall exhibition game against Kansas at the Field of Dreams ballpark, where major and minor league games have been played since 2021.
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