Illinois regulators are allowing some applicants for adult-use cannabis retail licenses an opportunity to correct their applications and refile before the state’s lottery for permits.
The state announced finalists for 75 retail licenses weeks ago, but only 21 total applicants scored perfectly on their applications, calling into question the state’s intended effort to advance social equity.
According to Crain’s Chicago Business, while some applicants contend they weren’t notified of problems with their applications and allowed to correct them, others were given that opportunity.
That situation has led to several lawsuits, one of which could be settled because of the state’s changes.
“We believe that these new steps will inject more equity and fairness in the first round of license awards and provide insight as we improve the process for future rounds,” Gov. JB Pritzker said, according to Chicago TV station WLS.
The governor’s office said those applicants who didn’t receive a perfect score, or 252 points, will be notified and given a score sheet detailing how they lost points.
Those applicants will then be able to respond with an amended application.
Illinois’ licensing rules initially stipulated that applicants would be made aware of deficiencies and given an opportunity to fix them before final scores were handed out.
But several applicants claimed they didn’t receive such notices and lacked a method to appeal.
No date has been set for the licensing lottery.