But those delays hold up cannabis businesses for social equity applicants, a significant push behind the legislation that was signed by Gov. JB Pritzker last summer to bring legal adult-use cannabis sales to the Land of Lincoln.

The social equity element was an effort to bolster minority participation in the legal cannabis sector as the state is granting extra points to applicants who live in an area adversely affected by past drug policies, have a weed-related criminal record or have a family member who meets the criteria.

“I understand that COVID’s really impacted (awarding more licenses), but it means our whole effort on the social equity piece to get new companies of, hopefully, a different look and feel to their ownership structures haven’t had a chance to get in place yet so that’s hugely disappointing from my viewpoint,” Steans said.

“When the social equity licenses are issued (the desire) is to make sure they can succeed, and we need to make sure they can get product to sell, and that to me is the biggest outstanding thing that needs to be accomplished is some regulatory mechanism that all the cultivators are selling product to all, including the independent dispensaries.”

As far as how the first six months have gone, Stern, NTI’s owner, said the number of…