Illinois Cannabis-Derived Tax Revenues 50% Higher in 2021

Illinois raked in $445.3 million in adult-use cannabis tax revenue last year, up from $297.7 million in 2020, representing a 50% increase, NBC 15 reports. Under Illinois’ adult-use cannabis law, 25% of cannabis-derived funds are allocated to communities disproportionately affected by the drug war.

In total, the state took in $1.5 billion in adult-use cannabis revenue and dispersed $146.2 million to local governments, Gov. JB Pritzker (D) said in a statement.

“Illinois has done more to put justice and equity at the forefront of this industry than any other state in the nation and has worked to ensure that communities hurt by the war on drugs have had the opportunity to participate. The $1.5 billion in sales of adult-use cannabis in Illinois translates into significant tax revenue with a portion of every dollar spent being reinvested in communities that have suffered for decades.” — Pritzker in a statement

Additionally, the state has issued $113.5 million in grants through its Criminal Justice Information Authority’s Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) Program. Those funds go toward programs helping with child poverty, unemployment, mass incarceration, and gun violence, the report says.

“This isn’t just happening. These directed resources were the result of intentional policy decisions to begin repairing harm. But this is just the beginning. I am eager to see newly licensed Black businesses get a slice of the pie,” said State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D). “These much-needed resources for communities impacted by the drug war are the exact reason why policymakers who understand the pain and trauma being experienced by the community is vital.”