Weed in the Land of Lincoln: Legal Cannabis Comes to Illinois Jan. 1
Illinois’ cannabis legalization law is set to go into effect in January and will usher in what proponents hope is the most socially just legalization framework in the nation.
“We’ve spent decades decimating communities and destroying lives with the war on drugs,” said State Representative Kelly Cassidy. “For us it was really more about equity and ensuring that we are repairing harm.”
The state’s law allocates resources to minority communities and areas of the state that have been impacted the most by past crackdowns on marijuana. It also attempts to reduce the barrier to entry for entrepreneurs in hopes Illinois can lead the charge toward a more equitable cannabis industry, by giving them a leg up to compete for 75 licenses the state will begin to issue in May.
“This industry has the potential to be a generational wealth-building opportunity,” said Brian Scruggs, an entrepreneur in the sector.
Yet it remains to be seen if Illinois’ law will allow affected communities to capture a share of the cannabis wealth, and if it can, as Cassidy put it, address the “buffet of problems” associated with marijuana justice.
The former Microsoft CEO launched "Just the Facts" with USAFacts to provide clear, factual information on key issues, like health, the economy, and immigration.
Research Director at CFRA Research, Ken Leon, joins Cheddar to discuss Disney's earnings plus the shake up happening at Warner Brothers Discovery. Watch!
OpenTable CEO joins Cheddar to discuss this summer's top restaurant trends, how best to make a reservation and what perks you can now get on the app. Watch!
Nancy Clark, President of Verizon Value, on Total Wireless’s rebranding and its commitment to top speeds, network quality, and value for prepaid customers.
"Your Money Playbook" by Brandon Copeland offers practical advice on earning, managing, and building wealth, drawing from his NFL career and business education.