CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Governor Pritzker said officials have not set a date for the next lottery to award retail marijuana licenses. And, he said, his administration is taking a look at equity problems with the earlier lotteries.
Some black and LatinX business people and some lawmakers said the law allowing for recreational marijuana sales was supposed to create more diversity among cannabis dealers. But so far, all the first round owners are white, and critics complain not enough minorities qualified for the second round.
Two businesspeople who did not win a place among the only 21 finalists for this round of recreational cannabis licenses are suing to block the next round. They feel too few African-American and LatinX-owned businesses are getting a chance to participate. Governor Pritzker agrees minority participation is a major goal, but he’s opposed the suit. Still, he told reporters he’s in no hurry to hold the lottery either.
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"The lottery date has not been set, and we are going to take our time, so that we can focus on fairness," he said. "We are trying to carry out the law as it was written. It is important to me, though, that we provide time to ensure that the process is fair and that we get a fair and equitable result."
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation said it is reviewing “questions” about the process before it sets a new lottery date.