Green Thumb Industries (GTI) Continues its Social Equity License Education Assistance Program (LEAP) with Pro Bono Mentoring for Craft Grower, Infuser and Transporter Licenses in Illinois

Over 200 Social Equity Applicants Have Participated in LEAP to Date With Many Submitting Dispensary License Applications

Programming and One-on-One Consultations Will Now Focus on the New Round of License Applications Due March 16

CHICAGO, Jan. 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Thumb Industries (GTI) (CSE:GTII) (OTCQX: GTII), a leading national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and owner of Rise and Essence retail stores, today announced the next phase of its Social Equity License Education Assistance Program (LEAP) which includes programming and one-on-one consultations for Illinois craft grower, infuser and transporter licenses. Applications are due to the state on March 16 and the Department of Agriculture is expected to issue up to 40 craft grower licenses, up to 40 infuser licenses, and an unlimited number of transporter licenses on or before July 1, 2020. Dispensary applications were due January 2 with up to 75 awardees expected to be announced by May 1.

“At GTI, we believe it is our responsibility to help reduce barriers to cannabis business ownership for minorities and others most impacted by the war on drugs – and we are so humbled to have provided guidance to more than 200 applicants so far, many of whom applied for dispensary licenses,” says GTI Senior Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs Dina Rollman. “LEAP was created to offer assistance to those looking to enter this highly competitive industry and to serve as a resource to as many applicants as possible that qualify as a social equity applicant under Illinois law. GTI has had a long history of winning licenses and our team is excited to share our lessons learned and best practices with a new generation of business owners in this burgeoning industry. We can’t wait to continue our work with the new round of applicants and those who are awarded licenses.”

These services are provided pro bono and GTI will not seek any type of fee, ownership or remuneration in exchange for its services. All information shared with GTI will remain confidential.

Social equity applicants can receive up to 200 additional points out of 1,000 total points awarded for craft grower, infuser, and transporter applications. To be considered a Social Equity Applicant under the law, individuals must be an Illinois resident and meet one of the following criteria (as defined in the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act):