CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cresco Labs Inc. (“Cresco Labs” or the “Company”) (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF), one of the largest vertically integrated multistate cannabis operators in the United States, today provided comments on the legalization of adult-use cannabis in its home state of Illinois. Cresco Labs CEO & Co-Founder Charlie Bachtell served on the Cannabis Legalization Subcommittee of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s transition team as the sole representative for cannabis operators in the state.
“The legislation passed today legalizing adult-use cannabis in the state of Illinois beginning in 2020 represents a thoughtful expansion of access to cannabis in Illinois and we expect it will have a positive impact on both social justice issues and from a tax revenue perspective by expanding the employment and ownership opportunities for cannabis businesses in the state,” said Mr. Bachtell. “As the current market leader in the rapidly expanding medical-use cannabis program in the state, we look forward to also serving what will no doubt represent one of the largest adult-use cannabis customer bases in the U.S. The legalization of adult-use cannabis continues to be strongly supported by voters across the country and the legislation passed in Illinois represents a good model for other states to legalize cannabis by statute rather than developing a program only after a ballot initiative is passed. Cresco Labs fundamentally supports legalized and responsible access to cannabis, as we have seen proof of the resulting societal benefits of lowering crime rates and helping curb opioid addiction and fatalities. We’re very excited about the new opportunities adult-use cannabis will bring to Illinois and we’re also anticipating some very beneficial improvements to the existing medical program as well.”
Mr. Bachtell continued, “This legislation also includes important social equity provisions that are close to our collective heart at Cresco Labs. These provisions will enable a broader segment of our population to pursue employment opportunities in the growing cannabis industry. As the first company in the cannabis industry to introduce a comprehensive national social equity & education initiative (SEED), we are fully committed to supporting the social equity provisions within the current legislation. Our team has already taken the initiative to partner with community organizations to hold expungement events, created educational programs for college students on the fundamentals of the cannabis industry and launched a community impact incubator to assist with funding and support for people wanting to own businesses in this emerging industry.”
Illinois Adult-Use Legislation
The legislation passed by the state of Illinois legalizes cannabis for adults 21 years and older, beginning on January 1, 2020. It is forecasted that the Illinois adult-use market will be 10-20 times the size of the state’s medical program.
Illinois is currently the fifth most populous state in the U.S., with a population of nearly 13 million. Cresco Labs currently has a presence in 11 states including four of the five most populous states1.
Impact on Cresco Labs in Illinois
Under Cresco Labs’ current medical-use license in Illinois, it will have the ability to open five additional retail dispensaries for the sale of adult-use cannabis, bringing its total number of dispensaries in the state to 10 and the total cultivation footprint to three facilities, the maximum any one company is permitted to have.
The market share leader in Illinois, Cresco currently distributes its suite of wholesale brands to every dispensary in Illinois:
- Cresco – an everyday cannabis brand with above-average quality
- remedi – products designed for the medically-minded patient, with forms similar to traditional pharmaceuticals
- Reserve – a premium cannabis line
- Mindy’s Artisanal Edibles – a line of culinary-backed, cannabis-infused edibles created by James Beard Award-winning chef Mindy Segal
- Mindy’s Kitchen – a line of fun, fruity confections
About Cresco Labs
Cresco Labs, based in Chicago, is a leading U.S. cannabis company with experienced management, access to capital and a demonstrated growth strategy. As a differentiated grower, processor and retailer of premium cannabis operating across the United States, the company focuses on entering highly regulated markets with outsized demand potential and strong regulatory structures. Its impressive speed-to-market gives Cresco a distinct competitive advantage as it replicates its model to expand its national footprint. Cresco’s proven ability to execute is complemented by a cutting-edge brand strategy spearheaded by several of the brightest minds in consumer marketing in the nation. Cresco’s products are tailored to all major consumer segments: everyday cannabis, medicinally focused, connoisseur grade, and chef inspired edibles by James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Mindy Segal. Learn more about Cresco Labs at www.crescolabs.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, ‘may,’ ‘will,’ ‘should,’ ‘could,’ ‘would,’ ‘expects,’ ‘plans,’ ‘anticipates,’ ‘believes,’ ‘estimates,’ ‘projects,’ ‘predicts,’ ‘potential’ or ‘continue’ or the negative of those forms or other comparable terms. The Company’s forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to those risks discussed under "Risk Factors" in the company’s CSE Listing Statement filed with SEDAR; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Because of these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements. No assurances are given as to the future trading price or trading volumes of Cresco’s shares, nor as to the Company’s financial performance in future financial periods. The Company does not intend to update any of these factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the Company’s forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of new information, any future event or otherwise. Except as otherwise indicated, this press release speaks as of the date hereof. The distribution of this press release does not imply that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company after the date hereof or create any duty or commitment to update or supplement any information provided in this press release or otherwise.
1 With pending acquisitions and regulatory approval
