About Us

The Illinois Cannabis Consumption Association's roots are humble. Born out of desire to enter the Cannabis Hospitality Industry, Madeline and Nathan Scanlon and Dipesh Sharma were trying to open a Cannabis Lounge in suburban Chicago when they ran into trouble: it was simply illegal to run the business they wanted. 

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They weren't alone. Hundreds of Illinoisans have been stymied in their efforts to open a Cannabis Hospitality Venue. Whether it be a small coffee shop to a weed themed hotel, people have a strong desire to start these businesses.

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But it isn't just entrepreneurs. Consumers of Cannabis in Illinois have been crying out for the space to smoke it. Medical patients receiving treatment come to find that it is simple against the law for them to use their prescription anywhere. 

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Naysayers to legalizing on-premise often center their arguments that they, themselves, cannot imagine viable businesses. They argue that since this will not end racial disparities, it is a meaningless pursuit. We are here to argue the opposite. Hundreds of people routinely gather to smoke on coach busses or in warehouses. People will either do this legally or illegally. Asking the Cannabis Industry to fully reverse the unequal racial development of Illinois is an impossible request to fulfill. However, we do know that the lack of spaces to smoke does recriminalize the people most victimized by the War on Drugs. We do know that their is interest in Minority owned Cannabis Hospitality. And these people cannot get relief until Chicago passes an on-premise ordinance.