CHICAGO (CBS) — JB Pritzker said his administration is committed to addressing “the past wrongs in discriminatory drug laws” by making sure more people of color are able to get marijuana licenses to legally sell pot.
Facing calls from communities of color and lawmakers to suspend the lottery for 75 new marijuana dispensary licenses, Gov. Pritzker said he’s open to minor tweaks to the program, but he said the process needs to move forward before considering sweeping changes.
“Almost all states that have legalized have done so in a way that produced a multibillion dollar industry dominated by a handful of corporations and individuals that lack diversity,” Pritzker said. “But Illinois is attempting to produce a cannabis industry that actually looks like Illinois.”
The governor said his administration is committed to making sure communities of color are able to participate in getting one of the coveted licenses.
To qualify as a social equity applicant, a majority of…