Illinois Received Over 360 Marijuana Business Applications

State officials announced Wednesday that more than 360 businesses applied to partake in state’s medical marijuana program.

Preliminary counts revealed there are 158 applications for cultivation centers and 211 applications for dispensaries that beat the submittal deadline. Non-refundable fees collected by the state from these applications reached around $5 million.

“There’s a ton of excitement and enthusiasm from the industry,” said one applicant. “This shows there is trust in the system the state has set up.” The applicant submitted applications for cultivation centers in Rock Island, Normal, Oglesby and Dixon, and dispensaries in Mundelein, Chicago Heights and Chicago.

Bob Morgan, coordinator for the state’s medical marijuana program, said the large volume of applications “will allow us to pick the most qualified applicants.” Morgan added that applicants were not deterred by the state’s stringent qualifications, cash requirements and fees.

Cultivation center applicants have a non-refundable application fee of $25,000 as well as a first-year registration fee of $200,000. Growers will pay a 7 percent privilege tax on their marijuana sales in Illinois.

The locations of the proposed cultivation centers and dispensaries are still uncertain. Morgan said they will be announced next week.

Learn how to get an Illinois medical marijuana card.

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