Illinois FAQ's
Laws and Regulations
Q: What types of commercial cannabis licenses are available in Illinois?
A: There are five commercial cannabis licenses in Illinois including cultivation centers, craft growers, processors, transporting organizations, and dispensing organizations.
Q: Which state agency is in charge of cannabis licensing in Illinois?
A: The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is in charge of approving or denying applications and ensuring licensed businesses stay compliant.
Q: How much does a cannabis business license cost in Illinois?
A: For new craft growers, processors, transporting organizations, and dispensing organizations, the application fee is $5,000 with a license fee ranging from $10,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on the license type. The cultivation license application fee is $25,000, with an annual license fee of $100,000.
The State of Illinois is committed to ensuring that communities historically impacted by arrests and imprisonment for cannabis offenses have the opportunity to participate in the legal cannabis industry. As part of this effort, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) provides low-interest loans to Social Equity applicants to assist with the expenses of starting and running a cannabis business. A portion of the annual license fees for each business license type funds the Social Equity program.
Q: How do I apply for a cannabis business license in Illinois?
A: To apply for a cannabis license in Illinois, visit the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation website. The IDFPR is currently not accepting new applications for adult-use dispensing organization licenses.
Q: What are the fines and penalties for cannabis businesses that are out of compliance?
A: Illinois uses BioTrackTHC for its statewide cannabis verification and compliance monitoring. Non-compliance cannabis businesses are subject to varying levels of fines and penalties.
Q: Which softwares does GrowFlow integrate with?
A: GrowFlow integrates with Metrc, Leaf Data Systems, springbig, I Heart Jane, dutchie, GreenScreens, Leafly, and Quickbooks. We’re continuously building integration partnerships to help you supercharge your cannabis operation or dispensary.
