3.2 million $ of cannabis sold on first day of legalization in Illinois

Illinois, the 11th U.S. state to legalize cannabis, sold $3.2 million worth of cannabis on First day of legal sales this January 1st.

Day 1: 77,128 legal cannabis sales in Illinois

77,128 transactions, averaging 41,181 TP4T each, for total sales of 31,762,561 TP4T. These are the official figures reported by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation on the first day of legal cannabis sales in Illinois.

«I am here to celebrate a big day in Illinois,» said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, who queued up to buy infused candy THC.

For too long, Illinois residents, particularly Black and Brown individuals, have been targeted and criminalized for #cannabis possession.

It's not just a new year, it's a new day. Thank you, @GovPritzker, to end prohibition and build a more equitable Illinois. #HappyNewYear https://t.co/DHcaUXAecu

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— Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton (@LtGovStratton) January 1, 2020

The 35 dispensaries authorized to sell cannabis to any adult attracted long lines. Some dispensaries have therefore implemented numbered ticketing systems to manage the wait and limited purchase quantities to be able to serve everyone.

«As we enter a new decade, Illinois has taken a monumental step, launching cannabis legalization in a way that includes communities that have been left behind for too long, creates good jobs, and expunges thousands of records for those who have lost opportunities, thus ending prohibition. declared Toi Hutchinson, a former state senator who now oversees the new recreational cannabis program, with a strong focus on equity.

«Today is a historic day, and as we continue to grow this industry, I want to thank everyone who has worked hard to make this launch a success and who will continue to dedicate themselves to expanding opportunities and righting the wrongs of the past.»

A complete change of approach

In June, Illinois became the first U.S. state to legalize the possession and sale of adult-use cannabis through a government initiative rather than a ballot initiative. Illinois residents aged 21 and older are permitted to possess up to 30 grams of cannabis, and non-residents can possess up to 15 grams.

Illinois is strongly focusing its approach on equity, concentrating on communities of color that have been disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition. The Illinois law includes a low-interest loan program to help minority-owned cannabis businesses succeed in a predominantly white industry, and a program that channels 25% of cannabis sales revenue directly to the communities most affected by «discrimination in the enforcement of drug laws within the criminal justice system,» in the words of Governor Pritzker.

Furthermore, approximately 315,000 Illinois residents with cannabis-related criminal records are eligible for expungement, and thus able to work in the cannabis industry. On December 31st, Pritzker granted over 11,000 pardons..