Illinois is plugging away at preparing for legal recreational marijuana sales in the state.
The state has awarded its first five recreational marijuana licenses on Thursday that include locations in Naperville and Mundelein.
The other three shops that received licenses are in Joliet, Effingham and Canton. These shops now have the state’s permission to sell marijuana to anyone over age 21, starting on January 1st.
While Canton and Joliet are in support of recreational sales of the drug, Naperville, Effingham and Mundelein have not decided if they will allow it.
Chicago-based Green Thumb Industries owns four of the five shops that received licenses and has a 50% ownership stake in the fifth, The Clinic Effingham.
The others shops are the Clinic Mundelein, Salveo Health and Wellness in Canton, and the 3C Compassionate Care Center locations in Naperville and Joliet.
“GTI is thrilled that our five stores received the state of Illinois’ first approvals,” said GTI spokeswoman Linda Marsicano. “GTI has had a great relationship with the city of Naperville since 2015 … We continue to talk and work with the city on this important issue.”
