Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle Announces Launch of CannaBiz Pathways Program to Support Entrepreneurs in Cannabis Industry
(COOK COUNTY, IL) — Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today the launch of Cook County CannaBiz Pathways, a no-cost advising program for entrepreneurs working in the cannabis industry. The program will offer the opportunity to participate in cohort-based learning, as well as take advantage of webinars and one-on-one business advising.
Supported by the Cook County Equity Fund, the program builds on feedback received from applicants to the 2024 Cook County Cannabis Development Grant, which offered financial support to Cook County-based State of Illinois Social Equity License holders.
“The CannaBiz Pathways program will provide customized guidance for cannabis entrepreneurs, including in-depth assistance regarding compliance, taxes, promotion and more,” said President Preckwinkle. “As they navigate the challenges of opening and getting established in an emerging sector, Cook County is committed to ensuring they benefit from the economic opportunities and tailored advising that will position them for success.”
The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) serves as the administrator for CannaBiz Pathways, which will include two six-week cohorts focused on the distinct aspects of the highly regulated cannabis industry. Cohort participants will learn market research, customer segmentation, sales strategies, marketing strategies, financial acumen, industry regulations and compliance, operations management and more.
The cohorts are open to all Cook County cannabis-license holders.
“In a complex industry like cannabis, education serves as the foundation for compliance, credibility and long-term success,” said WBDC President and CEO Erica Kuhlmann. “It also helps entrepreneurs build informed communities that can thrive together in a growing industry.”
The curriculum will be supported by virtual classes and supplemental self-paced online training, including Responsible Vendor Training (RVT). The cohort program is open to cannabis license holders who have opened or are opening their businesses in Cook County. The first cohort will meet weekly from October 7, 2025, to November 18, 2025. Registration is open through Oct. 1, 2025, and availability is limited to 25 participants. The second cohort will begin in late January or early February 2026.
To complement the cohort-based curriculum, WBDC will also offer at least one webinar or virtual workshop each month featuring subject matter experts in the cannabis industry. Topics will include banking, human resources, accounting and tax law. The webinars are open to all, and the workshops are open to Cook County cannabis-license holders.
The first webinar will be held Sept. 25, 2025, and will focus on aligning impact with compliance and more. Registration is available here.
CannaBiz Pathways will also offer one-on-one advising to empower business owners with personalized guidance and strategic planning tailored to their unique goals. This aspect is open to Cook County cannabis-license holders.
Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry (3rd District) championed the Cannabis Development Grant effort and is excited to now see CannaBiz Pathways launch.
"This groundbreaking initiative embodies our dedication to equity, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic vitality in the rapidly expanding cannabis industry," said Commissioner Lowry. "Through comprehensive advising, peer cohort learning and expert-led workshops, we are equipping entrepreneurs with the financial literacy, compliance strategies and business acumen necessary to succeed in this highly regulated field. These resources are offered at no cost to participants, ensuring that Cook County-based cannabis businesses are not left behind but are instead positioned to compete, innovate and thrive. This program is not simply a training series; it is a transformative pathway that strengthens our local economy, creates sustainable opportunities and reaffirms our commitment to fairness and innovation across Cook County.”
In 2024, 40 holders of Social Equity Licenses received Cook County Cannabis Development Grants totaling $3.6 million to help offset expenses associated with opening and operating a cannabis business in the County.
This year, Cook County will award Cannabis Development Grants to up to 10 eligible entrepreneurs who applied last year but were not selected. Those recipients will be notified of their grant awards in the coming months.
For more information on the Cook County CannaBiz Pathways program, including registration for the upcoming cohort, visit wbdc.org/en/cook-county-cannabiz-pathways/.
About the Women's Business Development Center
The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is a 501(c)(3) nationally recognized leader in the field of business development and economic empowerment. The organization was founded in 1986 to provide programs and services to support and accelerate business development and growth, targeting women and serving all business owners, in order to strengthen their participation in, and impact on, the economy.
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