Cannabis Development Grant
The Cook County Cannabis Development Grant program provides grants to social equity-licensed cannabis businesses to support startup and operational business costs in Cook County.
The program launched in May 2024, and, in September 2024, awarded $3.6 million to 40 businesses, including craft growers, dispensaries, infusers and transporters.
On April 3, 2025, the Cook County Board of Commissioners authorized funding of up to $1.5 million to accommodate eligible applicants that were not awarded funding during the grant’s first round.
The Cook County Cannabis Development Grant program 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.
2025
Eligible applicants that were not selected in 2024 may now receive grants but are required to complete a supplemental application to verify their eligibility.
The supplemental application portal opened July 31, 2025, and will close at 5 p.m. on August 15, 2025.
Visit supplemental application portal
2024
The original application portal was open from May 23, 2024, until June 21, 2024, and 40 businesses were selected to receive grants ranging from $75,000 to $150,000. The grant amount was dependent on the business type.
View 2024 Cook County Cannabis Development Grant recipient list
More on the program
Eligibility
Applicants were required to:
- Hold a craft grower, dispensary, infuser or transporter State of Illinois Social Equity License, as defined by the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act
- Be operating in Cook County or be committed to operating in Cook County.
In 2024, priority was given to businesses that:
- Received social equity cannabis licenses from the State of Illinois in 2021 or 2022
- Were operating in a Disproportionately Impacted Area (DIA)
- Were majority-owned by individuals who resided in DIAs.
Grant amounts
Grant amounts are based on license type:
- Craft grower: $150,000
- Dispensary: $75,000
- Infuser: $100,000
- Transporter: $75,000
Getting Started Guide
Cook County strongly recommends gathering all necessary documents before starting a grant application.
For the Cook County Cannabis Development Grant, required documents include a photo ID, tax-return information and proof of a valid cannabis license.
Cook County provided this Getting Started Guide to help applicants prepare. The guide provides detailed descriptions of all materials that were required to be uploaded as part of an application.
Informational webinars and office hours
The Cook County Bureau of Economic Development hosted informational webinars on May 29, 2024, and June 7, 2024, during which interested applicants learned more about the program and the application process, and were provided the opportunity to ask questions of the program team.
The Cook County Bureau of Economic Development also hosted virtual office hours on June 4, 2024, and June 12, 2024, during which applicants were able to ask questions and receive direct assistance with their application.
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 occurred after applying.
Contact
Still have questions? Please email cannabis.oed@cookcountyil.gov.