Illinois revised timelines and guidelines

[Julian]

That I cannot got too far into......(I know, I know...people will say "well, app period is over, why not share now".....)

Well, app period may be done, but industry is not, and IP is IP. Each and all approach and view things a certain way unique to themselves and their operations, which is what in turn makes them such...so.....

I can say prior to submission we sat with state officials, whose response(s) were "We've been approached and sat down with virtually everyone, and your the first and only to actually show us and offer exactly what we're looking for".....

I was deeply touched........to say the least.....and ever so honored......



On a different note......regarding the decisions being "long done"..........
The recommendations for the licenses had reached Quinn’s desk, Rep. Lou Lang said .....

Told you guys.....they had them.....they've had them....(hence how could they begin the steps to finalize if they didn't)...(let alone the mid Dec prepping to release.....)...."announcing" is a completely different matter/issue than "selecting"........

They did, again, initiate the finalization through several actions last week....what stalled it?....can't tell you....

Long done.... ....not sure what will occur now...but also happen to know who a couple of those names on that list are/were

 

[growteam]

Which districts are you applying in?

 

[Julian]

Ohhhh, definitely good ones!

.....

 

[Julian]

Lou Langs full commentary

 

[growteam]

Is the videos supposed to be 30 seconds long? The bottom ones 22:00. Maybe mines loading wrong.

 

[Julian]

Internet use quite simple. The revised Lou Lang commentary link for those who tech isn't their first language-internet challenged

 

[growteam]

No. IL is divided into districts. Representing more than one client per district, per operation would be. (Separate dispensary and cultivation clients in the same district would not be. Representing 2 competing operations in the same district would.)

There are many who do. (They might have claimed they don't, and not told clients they did, but did so anyway). We absolutely would not. I'm extremely selective anyway....my accept to deny ratios were literally 1-30/40 ....IL was mostly white collar groups (the attorney and physician groups dominated) with no interest in patients or staff....strictly their end. Nothing else.

I can truly say it has been an honor to have the clients we have. We have had total and complete freedom to create whatever we wished, with patients and staff primary focus. It truly has been a pleasure....and I'm extremely proud at what we have assembled. Cultivation?....no finer teams anywhere on the planet earth. (Yes, I fully realize the depth of that statement....I do not speak of myself...merely of staff and who was assembled to staff certain facilities.....)

So you had to deny up to 40 clients? There are 159 applicants for cultivation centers. Are you saying 1/4 applicants came to you for consulting services?

Good video by the way. Extending the pilot program would be a good idea. Although all this bullshit is just making it sound like this is going to drag out. And your right it sounds like they have scored applicants already.

 

[Julian]

They've had the approved list (as I stated) ready to go since Dec 10th+/-.....(The first news they were preparing to announce came around the 15th.......again, how could they announce if they didn't already have the winners selected? )

Did I have to? No. Did I and enjoy it? Absolutely ...

I don't know if all (much more than 30-40....that was a ratio) made it through to end....initially in IL, traffic/inquiries was extremely high.....so.......I pretty much gradually turned into being extremely short in screening (due to numbers)....but, as above, majority were attorney and physician groups who, of course, sought total and complete control despite not a clue, didn't want to properly compensate the people responsible for their potential success (or even entry staff).....not patient friendly.....(all translation is just money money money for them, nothing for anyone else, staff or patients, etc)....which of course, created the personality conflicts usually from the start.....the nature of the groups themselves being that they're doing you a favor...I reminded many, quite often, they were greatly mistaken, it was the other way around...and of course, good luck...often with a laugh and expletive here and there to accompany..

I'll further change the above (final app's) numbers to probably a third are not even applications that should have been submitted......no escrow/conditional bond commitment secured......plans not as called for/complete....incomplete app's submitted (I know of one which no redacted digital included and only partially redacted hard copy)....principals with inadequate backgrounds, etc.....so.....I'm sure a third was just a waste of everyones time to begin with....

Plus, many (dispensary also included in the above numbers and ratios) just were not truly financially prepared/able...ie: Yeah....they could have gotten app to submission.....but wouldn't truly have been able to carry it through long term (especially with unknown participation....as we are, indeed, seeing a glimpse of what that is now.....) Many were things that could have been secured, but were not out of responsible and honest business practices, ethics, etc.....(which I also share on the cultivation side, to any who guided applicants towards the higher indoor end (200-300k sq. ft. when new and unproven program and participation known)......

I dont think it's going to (drag out). As, I would hope finally all can see , they've had decisions ready to go for quite some time, we will see something sooner rather than later. Can many things take place right now to prolong and alter? Yes. Will that be the case? I dont believe so, for various reasons. (the most valid being business and political, most self explanatory). The reasons for delays is now, given the series of events we have witnessed, fairly obvious...(but not even worth discussing as the only 2 and the chairs they were sitting in who truly know wont be talking anytime soon...)...

Nah. He'll continue and issue sooner than later.

And what district are you hoping for?

 

[Garlic Bud]

Thank you for posting the link to the video. Gives some hope, but also is a little disconcerting to think they could start the whole process over. Hopefully, it will go the way you said Julian.
Thanks again,
Garlic

 

[amannamedtruth]

Yea hopefully Rauner doesn't turn into that fat oaf christie.

 

[Bababooey]

Check out this update!

http://www.illinoissenatedemocrats....es-become-law&catid=101:blog-posts&Itemid=450

So the penalties for growing mmj have taken effect, even though no growing/dispensing licenses have been issued?
Yay?

So all the apps have been scored since Dec. So they could have issued licenses back then, highest score(s) win.
Rauner was asked yesterday about the licenses, and he said he was 'concerned about the process' and mentioned former govt employees who acted as lobbyists, using their friendships to get these licenses.
Alright, you know, he wants to clean up govt or some shit, maybe he has good intentions, likely the only effect will be that instead of democrats getting favoritism it will be republicans, cause all anyone cares about is money (red, blue? no, green, bitch), but whatever. He's got his agenda, and that agenda won him office.
So give the rankings the once over, if it passes the smell test then issue the damn things already.
If they start doing full blown investigations itll be weeks more before theyre issued. Hello summer 2015 for medicine?
Maybe they'll have 1000 patients by then.

 

[growteam]

I don't know if all (much more than 30-40....that was a ratio) made it through to end....initially in IL, traffic/inquiries was extremely high.....so.......I pretty much gradually turned into being extremely short in screening (due to numbers)....but, as above, majority were attorney and physician groups who, of course, sought total and complete control despite not a clue, didn't want to properly compensate the people responsible for their potential success (or even entry staff).....not patient friendly.....(all translation is just money money money for them, nothing for anyone else, staff or patients, etc)....which of course, created the personality conflicts usually from the start.....the nature of the groups themselves being that they're doing you a favor...I reminded many, quite often, they were greatly mistaken, it was the other way around...and of course, good luck...often with a laugh and expletive here and there to accompany..

Well based on the above paragraph I know you turned away a lot of people. Same experience here. The market is in favor of the experienced growers. We get to pick. So much time wasted on pointless meet and greets. Some of these would be business owners treat it like a get rich quick scheme. They underestimated the cannabis industry as well as the growers. I could feel that they had a failed model. Not just them. The teams. The teams where really weak and destined for failure. Even the fellas with the 10-20mil budgets. Showing up with a Ferrari but a completely failed business model. Lots of clients seriously underestimated the industry. Money wont save them. And they will just be competition that makes us look better. Im very proud of our team. Like you, dream team. Dream setup. The laws in Illinois did ultimately dictate the design. Within the legal framework Im proud of what we came up with. My team sent scouts to legal states and outside the country for growers and consulting. They had a hard time finding a grower they could work with. Its like you said above. Personality conflicts. Lots of undesirable people on both sides of the fence.

And what district are you hoping for?

We are confident.

 

[Julian]

Well based on the above paragraph I know you turned away a lot of people. Same experience here. The market is in favor of the experienced growers. We get to pick. So much time wasted on pointless meet and greets. Some of these would be business owners treat it like a get rich quick scheme. They underestimated the cannabis industry as well as the growers. I could feel that they had a failed model. Not just them. The teams. The teams where really weak and destined for failure. Even the fellas with the 10-20mil budgets. Showing up with a Ferrari but a completely failed business model. Lots of clients seriously underestimated the industry. Money wont save them. And they will just be competition that makes us look better. Im very proud of our team. Like you, dream team. Dream setup. The laws in Illinois did ultimately dictate the design. Within the legal framework Im proud of what we came up with. My team sent scouts to legal states and outside the country for growers and consulting. They had a hard time finding a grower they could work with. Its like you said above. Personality conflicts. Lots of undesirable people on both sides of the fence.

I started to highlight points, but, would have highlighted all ...

Pointless meet and greets.....and interesting topic:
I didn't/do not....and, very interesting....

Explanation:
So many want(ed) to "talk".......

About what?....anything that can be said of value, is valuable.....sit down and exchange pleasantries?.....or (more common, especially IL and "big money") the truth is "sit down, let us pick your brain, and lift every word for free, and continue on to others and continue doing so .....

No. I told one group "Sure, we can schedule. Fee to do so is $50k"........their response being "Your fuckin crazy"

My response:
Your speaking of a $10MM budget, with a 9 figure long term operation, and you think $50k is too much to put on laying that foundation?.....No....that's fuckin crazy ...(That one I did it because I knew they would say no and I didn't like them......attorney group....of course.....ie: Set up out 9 figure business, but we're going to try and pay as little as possible to do so

Yes.....the "sophisticated investor".....gotta love em...

Unless I truly liked the people, I stopped entertaining the free meets and sit downs.....because, again? "Talk"...about what?.....You can't really say anything of substance without saying something of substance....

Thank you also for reiterating something said often, which is it seems the bigger the money, the worse their project.....(such as producing 6k units of "quality" product in 6 months for $4k a unit wholesale with LED set up .....)

What I found obnoxious (speaking of IL framework and design) was the "adequate perimeter around each batch"....and know once or twice we tried to calculate how much wasted sq. ft. that represented as a whole when all said and done....

I wouldn't say (from my experience) a difficulty in people to work with as much as the right people....In this game? Everyone's a master...and that is one of our areas (consultants, staffing, placements, etc), so.....for me it's a matter of someone with the skill set but who can work with numerous others with different skill sets...(all representing different experience in different areas........and, of course, know and understand their strengths and weakness's...and build upon those, etc.....was talking to someone about getting 10 "masters" together at the same table without debates is a miracle in itself....Personally....that's what I look for....we seem to do very well with that.....(assessment of personal characteristics, etc, which to me is infinitely more important than resume and accomplishments, etc.....) as all means little, as you said, if you can't work with them, and they can't work with others.....

All very interesting given the very nature of this industry and game.....ie: Everyone started somewhere... knowledge and experience and skills grow, and the ability to realize that truly never ends...

I think that was, and is a factor in selection(s) as well, and, think many do not fully understand the selection process....ie: It is not, nor was ever scores only. There was 3 safety valves installed for selection....scoring was only one.

Example: Many of the big money groups may very well have "a plan/viable plan"......but how does a big money group equate something "good for the program, the patients, and the industry"......never once did I see such speak of patients....only the money and their budgets......and, many quite obvious they're just in it for "the money grab", which again...maybe the scored well....maybe plan good.....but there might be one that scored slightly lower but good for program, patients, community, etc...

Which ones wins? (The latter the true choice)....

Many promises made (financial).....and what is going to happen when those promises not honored?.....(because revenues not there to do so?.....will the potential recipient be "understanding" of such?......Most of the time they never are....because they don't understand the mechanics/moving parts involved.....(and they weren't made aware of such......)

I think also people underestimate the concept of quality and value, and, I've said from day 1.....quality (true) isn't going to be widespread, and we're going to see quite a few staffing changeovers in the first 2 years.....

It's going to be chaos.

Alas........I did leave out all the really good stuff above......(might point some things out....strategy and structure, specific to IL....)

 

[amannamedtruth]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...-illinois-pot-rauner-edit-20150114-story.html

By Editorial Board Drug Trafficking Finance Pat Quinn Bruce Rauner Jack Lavin

Illinois' medical marijuana license process needs to be transparent.
Gov. Pat Quinn created all sorts of mischief in his final days in office, but he got one thing right: He didn't sign off at the last minute on licenses to grow and sell medical marijuana in Illinois.

He left that to his successor, and his successor said Tuesday he's in no rush to act.

There is every reason for Gov. Bruce Rauner to be careful about this.

The public knows almost nothing about the applicants for the coveted licenses to run 21 growing facilities and 60 dispensaries across the state.


By law, the applicants' names are secret. So are the details of the 369 applications that have been filed. We don't know how those applications have been scored by state evaluators. What little we know comes from local zoning requests, business permit applications and other state records.

This is a state with a long and rich history of awarding lucrative licenses and government contracts through cronyism.

Rauner said his staff needs to learn how the approval process has been managed and whether changes need to be made. He's asking the right questions.


We understand that people want to have access to medical marijuana. We supported legalizing it. But the secrecy built into this process creates suspicion. Let's air this out — and if that requires a change in law, let's do it.

Growers could reap an estimated $17 million a year and more. The lucky license holders are likely to keep those licenses for a long time.

Patients left 'hanging' as medical marijuana decisions delayed
Illinoisans should know who's in the running, and with whose financial and political backing. In December, the Tribune reported that Jack Lavin, a former chief of staff for Quinn, is a lobbyist for one applicant. The Tribune found that two other applicants have criminal convictions. Another applicant was linked to a corporate shell known for hiding assets and owners. How that will affect the scoring of license application is ... anyone's guess.

This week disappointed lawmakers and potential patients criticized Quinn for failing to award the medical marijuana licenses on his way out the door.

"He just left the sick and the dying hanging," said Jim Champion, an Army veteran with multiple sclerosis who was named to the governor's medical cannabis advisory board.

This is a new industry in Illinois, one that is supposed to benefit people's health. The best way to serve patients is to award licenses to growers and operators proven to be above reproach. That requires a process that is fully transparent, so that everyone can see the applicants' credentials, and how these licenses are scored and awarded.

Defenders of the secrecy say the rules are designed to keep clout out of the vetting. Even staffers at the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation charged with evaluating applicants aren't supposed to see names on applications.

Families with sick kids worry about delay in medical pot licenses
And yet, people in and around state government seem to know something about who is applying for these licenses.

Rauner goes into this with his eyes wide open. In his campaign for governor he said the medical marijuana licensing process was "rigged." He proposed disclosing the applicants' financial information.

If there's a game here, it looks like the game is up.

 

[Julian]

I was bitching about that one last night.......

But you know what's really funny?

The make such a big deal about all the "intense security required"......24/7 armed, multiple systems in place, yada, yada, yada.......only to then bitch how every single aspect and detail is supposed to be transparent and available for anyone to find.....

The only people who truly need to know are the regulatory bodies responsible for the process and enforcement...

"Disclosing applicants financial information"?? :
Applications basically included hundreds if not thousands of pages of such presented, along with fingerprints and background checks....(and throw on top obnoxious media.....)

Last I checked, these were "privately" owned companies...

Any and everything they seek can be achieved without complete public disclosure....(and, again.....they bitch and moan about all the "security" aspects...that's part of it.....)

The best way to serve patients is to award licenses to growers and operators proven to be above reproach. That requires a process that is fully transparent, so that everyone can see the applicants' credentials, and how these licenses are scored and awarded.

Why does "everyone" need to know the above? The regulatory body(ies) need to know. Only.

"The game" isn't up.

It's just been handed to someone to run their own game instead of any possible previous.....

This is a state with a long and rich history of awarding lucrative licenses and government contracts through cronyism.

With Rauner benefiting privately prior to now to ones worth 10's of millions he himself.

Let's be realistic.....regardless of disclosure, regardless of who is linked to who....they will issue them assuming everything in line according to the specs...Rauner wanted his chance to get his selections in as well...(Similar to how they split the panel selections....)

Edit/Note: They are keeping Morgan on

People complaining how last admin was crooked.......people haven't seen anything yet...

 

[amannamedtruth]

I was bitching about that one last night.......

But you know what's really funny?

The make such a big deal about all the "intense security required"......24/7 armed, multiple systems in place, yada, yada, yada.......only to then bitch how every single aspect and detail is supposed to be transparent and available for anyone to find.....

The only people who truly need to know are the regulatory bodies responsible for the process and enforcement...

"Disclosing applicants financial information"?? :
Applications basically included hundreds if not thousands of pages of such presented, along with fingerprints and background checks....(and throw on top obnoxious media.....)

Last I checked, these were "privately" owned companies...

Any and everything they seek can be achieved without complete public disclosure....(and, again.....they bitch and moan about all the "security" aspects...that's part of it.....)


Why does "everyone" need to know the above? The regulatory body(ies) need to know. Only.

"The game" isn't up.

It's just been handed to someone to run their own game instead of any possible previous.....


With Rauner benefiting privately prior to now to ones worth 10's of millions he himself.

Let's be realistic.....regardless of disclosure, regardless of who is linked to who....they will issue them assuming everything in line according to the specs...Rauner wanted his chance to get his selections in as well...(Similar to how they split the panel selections....)

Edit/Note: They are keeping Morgan on

People complaining how last admin was crooked.......people haven't seen anything yet...

Yup, changing of the guard. Its crazy how its come to this point.

 

[Julian]

Illinois

posted: 1/15/2015 2:50 PM

Gov. Rauner to keep medical marijuana chief for now

CHICAGO -- The head of Illinois' medical marijuana program for the past year is staying on the job a bit longer.

A spokesman for Gov. Bruce Rauner says Bob Morgan is "staying on for the time being." Morgan is an attorney with the Illinois Department of Public Health and coordinator of the marijuana program.

Medical marijuana patients hoped former Gov. Pat Quinn would issue business permits to growers and retailers before leaving office, but that didn't happen.

Rauner spokesman Lance Trover says the new administration has "no idea" why Quinn didn't issue the licenses and "only he can answer that question."

Trover says the new governor has concerns about the medical marijuana law and how business licenses are chosen, but Rauner "is committed to a quick and thorough review of the program."

 

[Bababooey]

It's good to see Bob kept his job. Not that he had much choice.
He seemed like a pretty nice guy in demeanor, of course who knows what he's like to work with. Sad that he had to delay license issuance to keep his job, but hes got to keep a roof over his head too. And hey, that's one less person on the dole, right?
Now just issue the darn things already. The suspense is killing me.

 

[growteam]

"adequate perimeter around each batch"

I remember dealing with that one. Hard to tell you any stories here without giving away information. So, for now Ill leave it as is. But yes that rule with accessibility around the batch was one we complained about and had to double check on to make sure. Look at the bright side, you wont be squeezing into any tight spaces here. lol. No jam packed rooms. You have to admit, its nice having a big hallway to move in. And being able to reach everything without having to crawl. lol. Ive done my share of crawling over the last 12 years.

I am going to state my personal opinion on Illinois cannabis. The way that Illinois has set itself up, could result in one likely outcome. Incredible cannabis. Why do I say this? Because there is no other system like Illinois. The market there isnt going to be flooded with low quality weed. These setups, yours included are state of the art. They have to be. Or its not good enough. Which now means if the company has a talented grower combined with the state of the art facility its game over. Only a talented and experienced grower can design these types of cultivation centers. Growers that dont know what they are doing, or are too inexperienced never stood a chance of getting in. A champion knows a champion. Fisherman knows a fisherman. Some of these Illinois teams where truly champions. Every member of the team. The best at what they do. You had that same experience. I did. Others teams did too. Expert growers where brought in from outside of Illinois. Think about that. 21 facilities. So that means 21 of the best growers coming into the state. Or as little as 7 heads. (ie 3 facilities per company) Of course, if a company gets approved and is left with no grower or a tomato grower then thats different. I dont see that lasting. Its a matter of time before the best is flown in. However, from what I witnessed in Illinois, A-Game growers are there. I think lots of these A-game growers share the same story. Started small learned the hard way. Had to make do or come up with solutions using their creativity. Simply because there was no big budget for them. These growers honed their craft under harsh conditions. Over time made money expanded. Got bigger, smarter better and are well known. You get these growers in a state of the art facility, with 9 figure + budgets at their disposal and Illinois is going to be producing the best weed in the country. And with legalization looming, these guys are setup and ready to go. From day 1.

People complain about corruption? No. I dont see corruption. I see the patients of Illinois getting access to the best meds in the country. And you can thank the politicians for that.

 

[Julian]

Yes and no....and this goes back to "everyone's a master"....(said with sarcasm)....

Facility and knowledge is one thing.......but then you have experience, discipline, dry, cure, genetics (which are preference in the end).....

I would have to disagree....example:
I had many a discussion with principals/investors about their selections.......ie: How do they know how to properly screen?....How do they know what to ask, what not to....what is beyond the resume.......my favorite being: 20 identical resume's and experiences-How do you select? I've done 10hrs of discussions with consultants (ours) before really getting to the bottom, finally, about what is not on the resume....what they truly desire....etc....(and it's always different from hr. 1)

The point being, did they/can they/would they do 200 hrs. on their selected people prior to decision? (Hell no....no one does ...)

No.....I have to disagree.....I think we're going to see ops running white widow, running them through trim machines (wet trim), quick dry, no cure and then packed up.......

I'll readily gentleman bet you. ($1 bet)....remember this conversation 1 yr. from now.....

Genetics are a judgement call to begin with, with personal preferences playing a heavy role.....some running whats current (which changes as we have seen through the years anyway)......some running yielder's, etc......but....nah....lower end, wet trims, quick dry's and no cures I am certain will be found.....

I know.....you disagree.....let's phrase/let me present it a different way:
Do you really think every single op will be "perfect" ......

Now...I am reading the above and seeing an error.....and, can share something.... We didn't assign "One" per op..

We did 10 (Multiple Masters/Ph.D's,Multiple cup winners, Multiple acre aero operators, etc) Yes. Per op. One is not sufficient. Assuming 24/7 operation, rules and regs call for any time in operation AIC to be present. This equates 4-5 FTE's right off the bat, throw in other variables.....so, no. We didn't assign 1 AIC. We had minimum of 6 per op (AIC's....with several other's...throw in vacations, holidays, at peak production, etc.....(The argument and guidelines can be analyzed to question that and rework it, but, again, that would assume 40hrs. is enough time for all work weekly to be completed across the board, for everything.....every single aspect.....which puts it back to round the clock 7 days a week AIC present....)

We did 10 per op....(And they while very pleasant , reasonable, and agreeable, as above, all had different genetics selections )...(But their selections were all high end, plus we have a lot of original signature rare cuts as well...but, the initial were selected anyway, with them each adding their own etc.....(Each must of course be registered, but, there are ways of getting around having to register each and every run/"new product" ....

Point about the perimeter was exactly that: The perimeter. (now that must also be ADA accessible, so, reasonable, that's 4-5ft around entire perimeter of each and every space utilized, with prop being the exclusion because guidelines stipulate there is no "batch" until 18"....walkways, depending on ones method and systems selected (some have no walkways and simply do the larger tables/movable benches, which in itself indicates extremely high plant counts, but there you run into man hours, as high counts, tagging, cuts, supplies, etc......)....but again......around the perimeter.....(which technically does not meet guidelines as I believe that is "at all times".....tying also into surveillance/security coverage...(open and clear perimeter surrounding all "batches" at all times).....so the movable would also not meet that criteria depending on tagging.....