Cannabis Development Grant

Program update: Grant recipients have been announced. For a full list, click here.

The Cook County Cannabis Development Grant (CCC Development Grant) program is providing $3.6M in grants to social equity-licensed cannabis businesses to support startup and operational business costs in Cook County. 

This initiative is funded by the Cook County Equity Fund, created to address historic and continued disinvestment in marginalized communities. Specifically, the County’s Equity Fund Taskforce recommended establishment of this program to recognize the record of incarceration and exclusion communities of color have faced due to the War on Drugs. 

The application portal opened at 8 a.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) on Thursday, May 23, 2024, and was open until 11:59 p.m. CDT on Friday, June 21, 2024.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must:

• Hold a craft grower, dispensary, infuser or transporter State of Illinois Social Equity License, as defined by the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
• Currently operate in Cook County or be committed to operating in Cook County.

Priority will be given to businesses that:

• Received social equity cannabis licenses from the State of Illinois in 2021 or 2022.
• Operate in a Disproportionately Impacted Area (DIA).
• Are majority-owned by individuals who reside in DIAs. 

Getting Started Guide

Cook County strongly recommends gathering all necessary documents before starting the application. They include a photo ID, tax-return information and proof of a valid cannabis license. Use this Getting Started Guide to prepare. The document provides detailed descriptions of all materials that must be uploaded as part of your application.

Available grants

Grants are available based on license type:

• Craft Grower: $150,000
• Dispensary: $75,000
• Infuser: $100,000
• Transporter: $75,000

Informational webinars and office hours

The Cook County Bureau of Economic Development (BED) will host informational webinars on May 29 and June 7, during which interested applicants will learn more about the program and the application process, and may ask questions of the program team.

• Wednesday, May 29, 4 p.m. CDT webinar (This event has been held! Click link below for a recap.)
  • May 29 presentation
• Friday, June 7, 12 p.m. CDT webinar (This event has been held! Click link below for a recap.)
  • June 7 presentation

Cook County BED will also host virtual office hours on June 4 and June 12, during which applicants may ask questions and receive direct assistance with their application.

• Tuesday, June 4, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. CDT office hours (This event has been held!)
• Wednesday, June 12, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. CDT office hours (This event has been held!)

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for answers to questions regarding program eligibility, program priorities, the application process, eligible uses of grant funds and what to expect after applying.

Contact

Still have questions? Please email cannabis.oed@cookcountyil.gov.