SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (CBS) — More than 80 new marijuana licenses would have been announced Wednesday, but an executive order issued by Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday delayed them.
Now, those licenses meant to expand and diversify the industry could actually be forcing social equity applicants out.
CBS 2’s Tara Molina talked to one of those applicants, who said they need an answer from the state soon.
Nakisha Hobbs and her partners have been making plans for months, waiting to see if they’re awarded a craft growers license by the state.
They are plans that are getting more expensive every day those licenses are delayed.
“I’m a member of a team of three women of color who are starting a craft grow facility, or hope to start a craft grow facility,” Hobbs said.
Hobbs, a native of North Lawndale and lifelong West Side resident, is looking at the property she and those partners have already invested thousands in.
“We put down $50,000, and $25,000 is nonrefundable,” she said.
Hobbs said now, they’ll have to pay $5,000 a month just to stay under contract, through September, when they don’t even know if they’re getting a license from the state yet.
“If we aren’t awarded or we don’t know what is going on by September 30, regardless of the fact we’ve invested all this time energy and money into this project, we stand a chance of losing this property,” she said.
Losing the property, of course, is a major concern.
“I do wish there was some definitiveness to…
