EXECUTIVE ORDER TO EXTEND APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR ADULT-USE APPLICATIONS DUE TO COVID-19
WHEREAS, in late 2019, a new and significant outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged; and,
WHEREAS, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel severe acute respiratory illness that can spread among people through respiratory transmissions and present with symptoms similar to those of influenza; and,
WHEREAS, certain populations are at higher risk of experiencing more severe illness as a result of COVID-19, including older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease; and,
WHEREAS, despite efforts to contain COVID-19, the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicate that it is expected to spread; and,
WHEREAS, in communities with confirmed COVID-19 cases, the CDC currently recommends mitigation measures, including practicing social distancing, staying at home when sick, staying home when a household member is sick with respiratory disease symptoms r when instructed to do so by public health officials or a health care provider, and keeping away from others who are sick; and,
WHEREAS, I, JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois, declared all counties in the State of Illinois as a disaster area on March 9, 2020; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, 410 ILCS 705, and implementing regulations, Title 8, Section 1300 of the Illinois Administrative Code, several upcoming licensing application deadlines require in-person submission; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary and appropriate for the State of Illinois to immediately take measures to protect the public's health in response to this COVID-19 outbreak;
THEREFORE, by the powers vested in me as the Governor of the State of Illinois, pursuant to Sections 7(1) and 7(12) of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, 20 ILCS 3305, I hereby order the following:
Section 1. The application submission deadlines in the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act and implementing regulations for submitting in-person applications by March 16, 2020, are suspended as follows:
- The March 16, 2020, deadline for submission of craft grower license applications pursuant to Title 8, Section 1300.300(b) of the Illinois Administrative Code is extended to March 30, 2020;
- The March 16, 2020, deadline for submission of infuser license applications pursuant to Section 35-5(b) of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, 410 ILCS 705/35-5(b) and Title 8, Section 1300.400(b) of the Illinois Administrative Code is extended to March 30, 2020; and
- The March 16, 2020, deadline for submission of transporter license applications pursuant to Section 40-5(b) of the cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, 40 ILCS 705/40-5(b) and Title 8, Section 1300.510(b)(1)(A) of the Illinois Administrative Code is extended to March 30, 2020.
Section 2. Any statutory or regulatory requirement to accept such applications in-person is suspended and the Department of Agriculture is directed to cease accepting in-person applications beginning 5 p.m. Central Time March 12, 2020.
Section 3. Beginning immediately, the Illinois Department of Agriculture is further directed to accept all craft grower, infuser, and transporter license applications post-marked on or before March 30, 2020, via certified US Mail at:
Illinois Department of Agriculture
c/o Bureau of Medicinal Plants
P.O. Box 19281
Springfield, IL 62794-9281
Issued by the Governor March 12, 2020
Filed by the Secretary of State March 12, 2020