(The Center Square) – Illinois is one of the largest cannabis markets in the country with total cannabis sales exceeding $2 billion last year, but some social equity owners say they are being left by the wayside.  

During a news conference Wednesday, the group Black Cannabis Operators called on Illinois lawmakers to provide more grant funding and to loosen regulations. Patricia Van Pelt-Scott, a former state senator, said businesses will fail if the state doesn’t step in. 

“We are not going to survive out here and it would be a shame if all the social equity groups disappeared at a time when the state is saying we really want to help you,” said Van Pelt-Scott, co-chair of Black Cannabis Operators.  

Her group is also calling for a moratorium on licensing fees and to allow medical patients to purchase cannabis products at any licensed dispensary. 

“The Illinois cannabis industry may continue to limp along for a short while but from what I can see right now, many of the social equity groups won’t even exist a year from now, so we cannot go home without getting these things addressed and we need them addressed now,” said Van Pelt-Scott.    

Illinois legalized recreational marijuana in 2020. The state established the Cannabis Social Equity Forgivable Loan Program for the purpose of providing financial assistance to minority applicants. Officials said they were committed to connecting people and communities that have been historically impacted by arrests and imprisonment for cannabis offenses to opportunities to participate in the legal cannabis industry. 

Last July in Champaign, SEquity Ventures became the 100th social equity cannabis dispensary to open its doors in Illinois. 

“From day one of legal cannabis sales in Illinois, my administration has been committed to making sure we don’t sacrifice a fair, equitable opportunity to join the industry, while also undoing decades of wrongs in the failed War on Drugs just for the economic gains,” said Gov. J.B. Pritzker.