Applications were released today for the Illinois Craft Grow, Infuser, and Transportation Organization Licenses. The Illinois Department of Agriculture will begin accepting applications on February 14, 2020, and all applications must be submitted by March 16, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
At Sapphire Risk Advisory Group, we assisted several clients with security plans for the Illinois Dispensary round. Now we are ready to help you expand your cannabis enterprise or give you the edge you need to win your first license in a competitive state!
The applications are broken into 12 scored exhibits for a total of 1000 possible points.
Aside from Applicant Social Equity Status, the most emphasis has been placed on Exhibit C.) Security Plan and Recordkeeping, worth 145 points.
According to the Illinois Craft Grow and Infuser Applications, the sections will be scored as the following:
Exhibit A.) Suitability of the Proposed Facility (50 pages; 75 points)
Exhibit B.) Suitability of Employee Training Plan (15 pages + handbook; 50 points)
Exhibit C.) Security Plan and Recordkeeping (65 pages; 145 points)
Exhibit D.) Infusing Plan (50 pages; 75 points) or Exhibit D.) Cultivation Plan (50 pages; 75 points)
Exhibit E.) Product Safety and Labeling Plan (55 pages; 95 points)
Exhibit F.) Business Plan and Services to be Offered (60 pages; 110 points)
Exhibit G.) Status as a Social Equity Applicant (no page limit, 200 points)
Exhibit H.) Applicant’s Labor and Employment Practices (10 pages; 20 points)
Exhibit I.) Environmental Plan (10 pages; 20 points)
Exhibit J.) Illinois Resident Controlled or Owned (no page limit; 90 points)
Exhibit K.) Veteran Controlled or Owned (no page limit; 20 points)
Exhibit L.) Diversity Plan (2500 words; 100 points)
Exhibit M.) Optional Bonus Section: 3 categories (10 pages per category; 2 points per category)
The thoroughness and quality of these sections could allow you to open your business – or prevent you from opening at all if you’re unprepared.
Not sure what to do or unsure on where to start? Hire an expert consultant with experience in the cannabis industry!
Sapphire Risk Advisory Group has written over 300 city/state applications for dispensaries and cultivation facilities in 24 states, including Illinois in the dispensary round. Our professionally written security sections have received an average score of 94%. Additionally, we have managed the build-outs of 60 successful cannabis businesses and trained several staff on security awareness and protocols.
Let our success be your success! How can we help you open your business?
Illinois Craft Grower and Infuser Applications
For the Illinois application, we are prepared to write the entirety of Exhibit C.) Security Plan and Recordkeeping. This section is worth 145 points, or 14.5% of your entire cannabis application. This section is broken into 4 measures that break down the point values for the Applicant’s plan for diversion prevention and communication with law enforcement, record keeping and inventory control, description of enclosed, locked facility, and compliant transportation and delivery plan.
This section has a high page limit of 65 pages, and historically, the highest scoring applications are near or at this mark.
Our experience and expertise is also applicable for some security-adjacent sections and services. For the Illinois application we are equipped to assist with Exhibit B.) Suitability of the Employee Training Plan and the recall plan portion of Exhibit E.) Product Safety and Labeling Plan. We can also contribute security elements to the Local Community/Neighborhood Report portion of the Exhibit M.) Optional Bonus Section.
Unlike the previous dispensary applications, a proposed physical location for your facility is required to successfully apply. Another difference is that the state is not requiring a signed contract with a licensed private security contractor or guard agency for Illinois Craft Grow, Infuser, or Transportation Organization applications.
It’s a lot of work, so don’t do it alone! Connect with us today for a free consultation and let us help you succeed in the cannabis industry.