Big money and a big stumble mark first year of Illinois' recreational weed law
A year after legalization, social equity remains a pipe dream
Politico (US)
Sunday, January 24, 2021
Sunday, January 24, 2021
Illinois’ coffers have enjoyed a boost in tax revenue approaching the amount generated by booze sales thanks to the year that recreational marijuana has been legal there. But that success is dampened by the fact that the program’s loftier goal of bringing social equity to an industry dominated by wealthy white men hasn’t been met. Sales of highly taxed marijuana that have topped $1 billion are popular in a state with a $3.9 billion budget deficit. But other states are watching Illinois’ experiment that promised to ensure people of color could reap revenue in a rapidly growing, multi-billion dollar industry.” That’s not happening.
