Illinois cannabis consumers may have noticed that social equity retailers were terribly hard to find. The Illinois cannabis market is set to expand with the release of 185 new retail licenses for social equity applicants. Cook County Circuit Judge Michael Mullen ended a court-ordered stay on licenses that had stalled the opening of all new stores for nearly a year. The earlier stay, ordered last August by Judge Moshe Jacobius, put social equity licenses on ice while other Illinois applicants argued over their eligibility for social equity status in court. The stay allowed 55 non-social equity cannabis stores to open for business, while social equity applicants were forced to survive without any revenue for the past 10 months.

With the addition of 185 new retail businesses, the Illinois market is set to expand by more than 160%. That’s expected to open up new market dynamics. Illinois cannabis consumers will have more locations to shop, along with the option for a more meaningful shopping experience knowing that they are supporting a social equity retailer.