What is the licensing timeline?

The 55 current medical-cannabis dispensaries receive early approval for licenses to sell under the new Act. They may apply to dispense recreational marijuana at their current stores and for a license for a second location, meaning the state could have 110 recreational cannabis outlets by the time sales start January 1, 2020.

  • On October 15, 2019, applications for up to 75 dispensaries will be made available. These new businesses will serve in addition to medical dispensaries that receive approval to serve adult consumers during the transition.
  • On January 1, 2020, sales begin. January 7, 2020, applications for infusers, transporters, and a new category of cultivator called a craft grower will be published for business applicants. 
  • On May 1, 2020, new dispensaries licenses will be issued, and the state will begin a disparity and market study of the cannabis industry.
  • On July 1, 2020, up to 40 craft grower and infuser licenses will be issued, along with an unlimited number of transporter licenses.

The Act allows for up to 47 dispensary licenses to be awarded within the “Chicago-Naperville-Elgin” region by May 1, 2020. The applications for such licenses shall be available by October 1. Once the disparity and market studies are complete, the state can issue additional licenses if needed. These licenses must take into account the findings of the disparity study.

Show All Answers

1. When was cannabis made legal in Illinois?
2. How much cannabis may an individual possess?
3. Who can legally purchase and consume cannabis?
4. Who can legally grow and sell recreational cannabis?
5. Can the consumption/possession of cannabis be banned by a local municipality like Libertyville?
6. Will the Village have any regulatory abilities?
7. What regulatory abilities, if any, do business owners and landlords have?
8. Will cannabis consumption be allowed in public spaces?
9. Where will consumption be allowed?
10. Does the Act itself restrict the location of cannabis business or advertising?
11. What is the licensing timeline?
12. What will the Village's role be in the licensing process?
13. Are there any changes to existing medical cannabis laws?
14. How is cannabis taxed?
15. How will the potential tax revenue generated be used?
16. How does the law affect workplace drug policies?
17. Does the Act place limits on cannabis advertising?
18. How does recreational cannabis effect criminal records?