Cannabis Business Association of IL

07/21/2025

The majority of states with recreational cannabis have social equity programs, but are they making a difference?

talks with folks on the front lines—including an Illinois license holder—about what’s working, what’s not and what’s next:

Cannabis social equity programs aim to uplift marginalized groups but often fall short. Can better funding and regulation change that?

07/18/2025

🗓️ Mark your calendars: Flower Expo is coming to Chicago this fall!

🌿 Learn more about the B2B cannabis trade show and what’s in store with this year’s new two-day format:

07/16/2025

Nearly nine in 10 Americans support legalizing cannabis in some form, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.

Explore the data and how support spans every demographic— age, race and political affiliation— via Ma*****na Moment:

An overwhelming majority of Americans—nearly nine in 10—support legalizing ma*****na in some form, according to newly released polling data from the Pew Research Center. Asked about cannabis policy preferences, 87 percent of respondents said they agreed with enacting reform. Fifty-four percent s...

07/14/2025

💚 July is Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the mental health needs and experiences of BIPOC communities.

🫶🏾 While mental illness doesn't discriminate, BIPOC communities often face unique barriers to accessing quality care that can lead to significant disparities in treatment and outcomes.

💚 Check out Mental Health America's Resource Center to learn more: https://ow.ly/4xmF5.

07/11/2025

🚨 ICYMI: Chicago Police plan to update their rules to prohibit officers from searching vehicles based solely on the smell of raw cannabis.

Read more about the shift — and what prompted it via Ma*****na Moment:

Chicago police officials intend to update city law enforcement guidance to discourage officers from searching vehicles based merely on the smell of raw, unburnt ma*****na, according to documents filed in an ongoing lawsuit seeking reform. The revised policy comes in the face of ongoing efforts to re...

07/09/2025

Big congrats to ÜMI Lincoln Park and Co-Founder Akele Parnell on opening their first dispensary in Illinois!

ÜMI celebrated the grand opening of its Lincoln Park shop in Chicago last weekend with live music, a terrarium bar, pup portraits, food trucks and giveaways galore.

👉🏾 Want to learn more about ÜMI's journey and the challenges Akele faced as a social equity cannabis entrepreneur? Check out this April article from The TRiiBE: https://ow.ly/cvvV50WnbSJ

07/07/2025

Nearly half of all cannabis business permits issued in Illinois remain unused, according to a recent report from Crain's Chicago Business.

Dive into the data and see why our friends at Bridge City Collective W**d Dispensary East Dubuque Illinois and Excelleaf Dispensary say high startup costs and limited access to capital are keeping many license holders from getting their businesses off the ground.

Read the full article (subscription required) 👇🏾

Almost half of all cannabis business permits issued to date in Illinois — mostly held by social equity entrepreneurs — have not opened for business and sit idle.

07/04/2025

Happy Fourth of July! Here’s to safe celebrations and a holiday that’s as 𝘭𝘪𝘵 as the fireworks.

🎇 Stocking up on holiday deals? Use this handy tool to find your nearest licensed dispensary: https://ow.ly/hSyv50SPNCR

06/27/2025

🌈 As the Chicago Pride Parade approaches, we’re proud to spotlight Illinois’ first queer-and BIPOC-owned dispensary brand: SWAY Dispensary Lakeview.

Located just off Sunday's parade route in Northalsted, SWAY is led by longtime cannabis activist Edie Moore, Arthur Johnston and José “Pepe” Peña. Art and Pepe have played a major role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights across Illinois, and served as the Community Grand Marshals at last year's Pride Parade!

Check out our latest Member Spotlight to learn what Pride and social equity mean to SWAY, how their first year in business has gone, and what’s ahead as they plan to open a second location: https://ow.ly/QYPZ50WhNrn

06/26/2025

Following recent events in Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott has called for a special legislative session next month to regulate intoxicating h**p products, the Chicago Tribune editorial board is once again urging Illinois leaders to act.

Check out the full editorial below to see what's happening in Texas — and why the Trib hopes “our politicians will be embarrassed into finally doing the right thing” if Texas moves forward:

Illinois continues to dither on regulating intoxicating synthetic h**p gummies and the like. Our politicians should be ashamed.

06/25/2025

Who’s got the happiest employees in the U.S.? The cannabis industry does! 💚

According to a new report from Deputy.com, more than 9 in 10 hourly cannabis workers report a “positive sentiment” in their job — the highest of any industry.

Check out the findings via Ma*****na Moment and let us know what you think in the comments 👇🏾

Hourly workers in the ma*****na industry rank at the top of the list of “happiest” employees across multiple sectors—with more than 9 in 10 reporting a “positive sentiment” in their job—according to a new survey. The annual Shift Pulse Report from the workforce management platform Deputy...

06/19/2025

Happy Juneteenth! Today marks more than a historic milestone — it’s a celebration of freedom and a powerful reminder to keep advancing equity, opportunity and justice for all.

When Illinois launched its adult-use cannabis program five years ago, it came with the promise of providing opportunities for those disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs.

We’ve made real progress, but there’s still more to do. That's why CBAI remains committed to working with our elected officials to strengthen our industry and ensure social equity license holders can thrive in Illinois. 🖤