Contributor: KC Scannell
The legalization of marijuana, in any state, is always exciting. I mean, how can it not be? Everything that you have been enjoying behind closed doors and purchasing in back alleys is now just as normal (and regulated) as any other industry in the nation. Gone are the days of worrying about blue and red lights in your rear view, as you and your buddies fire one up in a vacant parking lot. The concerns of facing any sort of legal punishment or ramifications for getting a little stoned in the comfort of your own home are instantly a thing of the past.
That is what I think I like most about the legalization of cannabis: the immediacy.
Even though we have been living in a world that has all-but demonized cannabis, and anything related to marijuana, for decades and decades, the changing of the rules seems to make everything “right” once that fateful day comes. Sure, we are more than aware of the massive amount of days, months, and years that went into bringing about this incredibly crucial rule change, but once it is finally put into place, the overwhelming feeling of alleviation and relaxation are too big to ignore – and it’s not just the indica talking – it’s “justice” that’s behind the majority of excitement during moments like this.
While we have seen cannabis-heavy states, like California and Colorado, pass laws of this nature with relative ease, it has been a bit more of a rarity to see any sort of state located in the middle of America, adhere to any “new thinking” of this nature. The stereotypes surrounding these locales are deeply rooted. For years, nay eons (at least, it feels that way), these regions have blindly followed any and all rules put into place by the federal government. Which, for the most part, is fine. But, as you and I both know, the level of incompetence by our elected officials truly knows no bounds. That, in concert with the level of corruption being a constant landmark in Washington D.C., has led to a myriad of wrongful and misguided rulings on their part.
The most damning of which, obviously, being their gross mishandling of cannabis and its much-deserved legalization.
Who knows how far we would be along, as a nation, had we simply done away with the nonsense and allowed the citizens of this country to enjoy marijuana in a safe, legal, and regulated manner years ago? Chances are we would be a whole lot less aggressive, destructive, and violent towards each other. But, to be fair, that is simply hearsay and assumptive of me to predict such an outcome simply with the passing of marijuana legislation. But, as “pie in the sky” as that hope may be, I truly believe there is a shred of truth to that sort of claim.
However, to be fair, Illinois has taken steps that most other states with legal marijuana constantly ignore. They have chosen to help out applicants who live in impoverished areas, or who have been unjustly hit with a criminal charge for cannabis (30 grams or less). They will award these folks with extra points on their applications, all in hopes of increasing the income of these poverty-stricken areas with the implementation of new businesses in the industry. Which, in turn, would create a massive amount of job opportunities for residents in the area. It’s a win, win.
That is great and all, but as I alluded to above, they need “supply” in order to make any of this happen. Which is why Illinois has recently allowed two new growers to cultivate crops for the upcoming recreational movement. These grow operations, Wellness Group Pharms and GTI Rock Island (both owned by Green Thumb Industries), are the two newest farms to be allowed and approved by the state to grow, distribute, and sell cannabis to the public come the new year.
Going into 2020, Illinois is already poised and ready to have their new dispensaries full of product. The state law that passed in regards to recreational marijuana, already allows the current 20+ grow operations for medicinal products to continue to produce cannabis for recreational purposes. Of which, they all plan to continue with business as usual. However, under these new restrictions, they need to obtain (yet another) approval from the state. Seeing as how things have been going smoothly with their work in the medicinal realm, chances are there won’t be any issues with them receiving the proper “go-ahead” from the powers that be in this regard.
It looks as though Illinois wants to keep everything “in-house” as it were. No, that doesn’t mean every grow operation has to be an indoor facility. By that, I simply mean that they won’t allow any sort of cannabis conglomerate, or any out-of-state producer, to flood their market with “foreign” products. Instead, Illinois wants to generate as many jobs (and as much income) as they can in the first year of recreational cannabis. Yes, there is a stipulation in the recent bill that would allow some newcomers from other states and areas to participate in their growing industry in a year or so, but even then, the vetting process is likely to be pretty intricate and discerning. So, the current Illinois-based growers don’t have to worry about anything other than getting ready for 2020.
