hemp drinks
According to Headset, these are the top THC drink players in Illinois:
Keef Brands, Uncle Arnie's, BOTÁNICA, Acreage Holdings, Cann, CQ Drinks, MariMed, Inc., Revolution Cannabis, Agrify Corp, Artet, and The Zero Proof.
Funny thing is, most of them don't seem to have a liquor processing and distribution license in Illinois for liquor store retail. The few THC drinks that do (like Riseau and Plift) aren't even in the top rankings.
So why aren't any of these top brands raising concerns about HB4293, which hands a monopoly to THC drink companies with liquor licenses? Could it be that deals were made to let the bill pass, with promises of future liquor licenses to sell THC drinks in every liquor store? Quick guaranteed acquisitions if it passes?
And if none of these companies are opposing a bill that clearly goes against their current business interests, doesn’t that say the quiet part out loud? It looks like they were all bribed with a future payout of a liquor license approval or acquisition to stay silent and let this bill sail through.
Let’s not forget, this same bill bans basically all CBD products from non-dispensary stores, conveniently protecting big cannabis interests while crushing smaller competitors.
Illinois has a long history of politicians getting into hot water over liquor licenses and bribery. Former Alderman Ed Burke was found guilty on multiple federal corruption charges, including bribery and extortion. Burke used his political position to pressure businesses into hiring his law firm in exchange for help securing city permits and licenses including liquor licenses.
Then there’s former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, now facing racketeering and bribery charges for allegedly using his political influence for personal gain.
And who could forget former Governor Rod Blagojevich? On Joe Rogan’s podcast, he openly said, “Everyone was doing it I just got caught.” Blagojevich’s infamous attempt to "sell" a Senate seat is a perfect example of how corruption thrives in Illinois politics.
Tomorrow, James and I are diving deep into all the liquor license issues tied to this bill on F'nAround in the Morning. But on the episode below, we’re discussing how HB4293 doesn’t just hand monopolies to big cannabis it decimates the entire industry that isn’t big canna in Illinois. And let’s be real: this bill likely benefits every politician attached to it in one way or another.
Let's follow the money shall we?
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, quite a few politicians are attached... maybe you should follow them too.
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