Around the U.S. as we have seen legal markets get set up we have also seen questionable licensing systems arise. This has even prompted some lawsuits over those licensing systems, with companies arguing that they aren't transparent and aren't fair.
Now in Illinois there are growing calls for more equal opportunities in the cannabis market there.
Those who are looking to do business in the cannabis market there want equal cannabis licensing opportunities in the region.
Advocates in the cannabis market say that not everyone has the same opportunity to access the licensing system, they want to try and figure out a way that can even that playing field and expand those opportunities to more.
One simple way to do that might be to give out more licensing permits for people who are interested in getting into the market.
Should it be only the rich who can be afforded access? Should it be first come first serve? Why does A get to live out their cannabis dream and B does not? Simply because a central authority of a few decided that they wouldn't allow it. That small vote is also based upon their guess of how many permits might be necessary to meet the demand.
In many cases they don't give out enough licenses to even come close to meeting the cannabis demand, so of course there will be many who are left out, especially those who have less resources available to them to endure the lengthy fight of getting across the business finish line to become established.
Illinois has already revised their process after getting complaints.
Many say that there isn't enough transparency and the scoring of those who apply isn't clear, why do some win and many fail? Some have filed lawsuits over the scoring process and final results in Illinois and elsewhere.
Cannabis legalization might be supported in many places but little do people know just how hard it is to break into that market, not everyone who wants to or who has the means to is going to get that chance.