Debra Borchardt
Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF) said that it expects its Illinois cannabis stores Rise Mundelein, Rise Canton, Rise Quincy, Rise Joliet and 3C Joliet will be open for adult-use cannabis sales on January 1, the first day it is legal to purchase cannabis in the state of Illinois for all consumers aged 21 and above.
“January 1, 2020, will be a historic day in Illinois and we are ecstatic to be a part of it. GTI kicked off the medical program with the very first cannabis sale at Rise Mundelein in 2015 and we are proud to do the same with adult use sales at the same location just four years later,” said GTI Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ben Kovler. “The state has been a leader in regulated cannabis programs, particularly with social equity as a focal point for legalization. We have created jobs, tax revenue, and – most important – access to safe and compliant products for people to improve their well-being. Congratulations to the cannabis and social equity advocates, cannabis operators, legislators, regulators and the citizens of Illinois who have made this happen.”
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker released the plan for full cannabis legalization in May which is set to begin on January 1. Companies that currently had medical cannabis licenses would get a jump on other companies with regards to applying for licenses.
Two of GTI’s Illinois stores, The Clinic Effingham and 3C Naperville, will only offer sales to customers with a valid Illinois medical marijuana card. The Clinic Effingham is expected to begin adult-use sales later in January pending a special use permit hearing. Naperville will hold a non-binding voter referendum on adult-use sales in March, and until then the store will only be open to registered medical patients.
GTI is rebranding its Illinois adult-use stores to Rise as part of its national retail brand that focuses on well-being through the power of cannabis. Rise Mundelein (formerly The Clinic Mundelein) and Rise Canton (formerly Salveo Health & Wellness) are the first of the rebrand rollout in Illinois. Rise Quincy and Rise Joliet are both brand new stores and are expected to be the first state-approved stores to begin operating following the most recent dispensary license issuances as part of the passage of the adult-use program. Rise Joliet is expected to be open January 1, pending a scheduled inspection in December.
The company also wanted cannabis customers to know that they can expect tents, food, beverages, music and heat lamps to ensure comfort during potentially long waits. Security personnel will be on the premises to facilitate safety. Rise Mundelein and 3C Joliet will also hold patient-appreciation events the weekend of December 28 to 29.
“GTI has been serving medical cannabis patients since November 2015 and we will continue to do everything possible to ensure patient access to safe and effective products during this rollout period,” said Kovler. “Our team has been hard at work increasing production at our cultivation and manufacturing facilities in Rock Island and Oglesby; adding production and retail staff; expanding and opening new retail stores; and adding hours and points of sale at our retail locations.”
Information on adult use stores and hours for the first week of adult use cannabis sales are:
Rise Mundelein: 1325 Armour Blvd., Mundelein, IL. First week hours – 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. Email: mundelein@risecannabis.com
Rise Canton: 3104 North Main Street, Canton, IL. First week hours – 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Email: canton@risecannabis.com
Rise Quincy: 2703 Broadway Street, Quincy, IL. First week hours – 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Email: quincy@risecannabis.com
Rise Joliet: 2903 Colorado Avenue, Joliet, IL. First week hours – 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. Email: joliet@risecannabis.com.
3C Joliet: 1627 Rock Creek Blvd., Joliet, IL. First week hours – 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. Email: info@gticlinic.com
