Cannabis Community Re-emerges To Celebrate Success

Chicago (July 16, 2021) -- Last Prisoner Project’s Craig Cesal, recently pardoned from a life sentence, is the guest speaker at a cannabis industry mixer on Thursday. Removal of cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act offers the burgeoning cannabis industry access to banking services, standard tax deductions and expansion with interstate commerce. The recent proposal for federal legalization includes record expungement but does nothing for those languishing in jail at taxpayers' expense. It’s estimated that 40,000 Americans are imprisoned from marijuana prohibition.

Locally, cannabis professionals in Illinois are celebrating the announcement of craft grower, dispensary and transportation license winners to social equity applicants,18 months past due. Despite Covid-19 and regulatory delays, sales continue to increase, new dispensaries are opening, and the industry is hiring.

With years of safety and economic success, many improvements are warranted to simplify onerous regulatory requirements like fingerprinting that exclude job applicants with criminal convictions. As profits and tax revenue soar, medical cannabis patients have been marginalized after growing the industry during the most difficult circumstances. Remaining organized influences legislators to lower fees, eliminate expiration dates and remove purchase limits. The hemp industry is also stymied by licensing and expensive testing regulations.

Cannabis professionals and entrepreneurs want the whole community to discuss these developments and acknowledge the contributions of cannabis advocates. This casual social event at Edison Park Moretti’s on July 22 from 6-9 p.m. is a perfect chance to connect with the industry, network, explore career opportunities and experience the broad appeal of this emerging market. For tickets go to: https://cannabissocialjuly22.eventbrite.com

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