Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced this week the recipients of $5.5 million in loans through round two of the 'Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program'.

Through the program, 23 qualified, licensed social equity dispensaries are receiving $240,000 in Direct Forgivable Loans financed by the State of Illinois. Applicants were selected based on factors including social equity status, financial need, financial resources, and progress toward becoming operational. 

Receiving $240,000 were Do Mor Development LLC out of Lincoln, Indus 365 LLC out of Decatur - proprietor of Mystic Green, and Project Equity Illinois, INC - owner of Cookies Bloomington.

After providing approximately $22 million through Round I of the Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program to craft growers, infusers, and transporters, DCEO opened Round II for adult-use dispensaries. 

Loan recipients are social equity Conditional and Adult Use Dispensing Organizations licensed by the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation. This round of funding was open to dispensaries that received licenses prior to the July 2023 dispensary license lottery.