EXCLUSIVE: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker On 'Pushing Against The Grains Of The Past' Through Cannabis Social Equity Program

Through the adult use cannabis social equity program, Illinois is helping those who previously faced imprisonment for cannabis offenses build new lives in its booming legal cannabis industry.

A Chance To Bloom: At the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago, on Thursday, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker applauded the successes of a family-operated cannabis business in Bucktown, Chicago: Ivy Hall Dispensary. 

"Ivy Hall has a story that's as Illinois as it gets. It's a story rooted in family. A powerhouse father-son duo, John and Nigel Dandridge, have worked day in and day out to operate their dispensary in a very, very diverse community that it serves," Pritzker said. 

"And it's become the first social equity business to open its doors with many others that have now followed."

According to Ivy Hall's website, the business focuses on creating a warmer, more experiential environment for cannabis consumers. The company removes the intimidation factor and strives to provide a place for people to shop that feels less transactional. 

Cannabis Social Equity In Illinois: Since the Dandridges opened Ivy Hall, nearly 50 social equity licensees have opened their doors for business in Illinois. The state offers a network of technical assistance providers for social equity applicants and a loan program for providing financial assistance. 

Several licensees from the program have opened craft growing facilities, cannabis transportation businesses and so much more, Pritzker said, adding that these businesses are owned by people from every walk of life. 

He acknowledged criticism surrounding the limited availability of the licenses, but stressed that by holding back, Illinois has helped to ensure that when these license holders enter the industry, they enter in a profitable way. 

"It would just be easy to do it the old fashioned way. To come into existence as they always have. It's much, much harder to build something that is making a difference and pushing against the grains of the past," Pritzker said. 

"But that's what we're doing here in Illinois, and I'm proud of it — creating an industry that lives up to our values, values of transformative justice, of equity and representation."

Read Next: EXCLUSIVE: Illinois Is Paving The Way For Cannabis, Pritzker Says: 'Here In The Land Of Lincoln We're Trying To Do Things Differently'

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks Thursday at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference. Photo by Carlos Alvarez.