Illinois’s governor says that while he’s “incredibly proud” of the state’s progress in repairing the harms of marijuana prohibition, he’s “not satisfied” yet and pledged to continue to promote equity in the legal cannabis industry. He also took a jab at surrounding states that have yet to enact legalization and estimated that 25 percent of Illinois’s cannabis sales come from out-of-state visitors.
During a speech at an International Cannabis Bar Association (INCBA) event on Thursday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) touted his state’s social equity initiatives, arguing that Illinois has been the most effective in the country at ensuring that the legalization is paired with reparative justice for those most impacted by criminalization. But he said he wants to do more.
“It hasn’t been easy. We have more work to do—there’s no doubt,” the governor, whose name is being floated as a potential Democratic vice presidential nominee, said, as Green Market Report first reported. “I’m not satisfied with where we are. We have a long way to go to repair the damage done by the war on drugs.”
“I’m really hopeful that the cannabis industry will continue to bring opportunity and wealth to communities of color for decades to come,” he said.
Pritzker also touted a study published by the state’s Cannabis Regulation Oversight Office this month, which found that 60 percent of all adult-use marijuana business licenses granted by regulators have been issued to minority- or women-owned businesses.
