Harper to Lead 4/20 Town Hall on Cannabis Equity in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Amid ongoing questions about equity in Illinois’ cannabis industry, state Rep. Sonya Harper (D-Chicago) will host a virtual town hall on April 20, 2026, at 4:20 p.m. to  assess progress, address challenges, and discuss the path forward.

The event, titled “The State of Cannabis, Hemp & Equity in Illinois: Progress, Challenges & What Comes Next,” will bring together state regulators, industry leaders, hemp advocates, and social equity license holders. Participants will examine the current landscape of cannabis and hemp in Illinois, including progress and delays in social equity licensing, barriers facing equity operators, hemp regulation, access to capital, and potential legislative changes.

“Illinois made a promise to create the most equitable cannabis program in the country,” Harper said. “This conversation is about accountability—what’s working, what isn’t, and what must change to ensure equity remains a priority.”

The town hall will also give community members an opportunity to hear directly from key stakeholders and engage in an open dialogue about the industry’s future.

Speakers include:

• Erin Johnson, Illinois Cannabis Regulatory Oversight Officer
• Danielle Perry, Former Regulator
• Portia Mittons, Cannabis Business Association of Illinois
• Belicia Royster, Social Equity Empowerment Network
• JR Fleming, South and West Side Coalition for Change
• Rachel Berry, Illinois Hemp Growers Association
• Everett Berry, Mia’s Heart Hemp Life; Illinois Hemp Coalition
• Doug Kelly, Cannabis Equity Illinois
• Social equity operators from the district

Event Details:
Date: April 20, 2026
Time: 4:20 p.m.

Location: Virtual
Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3TLLqxTzREKmmuDV5P0GfQ

For more information, contact repsonyaharper@gmail.com or call (773) 925-6580.

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