World Business Chicago CEO Michael Fassnacht (center left) and Discovery Partners Institute Executive Director Bill Jackson winged by Grown In’s Marcy Alspach and Brad Spirrison.
World Business Chicago CEO Michael Fassnacht (center left) and Discovery Partners Institute Executive Director Bill Jackson winged by Grown In’s Marcy Alspach and Brad Spirrison.

Here’s what happens when 140 cannabis industry stakeholders convene to grow no little plans…

On August 10, Grown In convened a plurality of stakeholders from the private sector, public sector and research institutions to address a commonly held goal of fortifying Chicago’s existing leadership position in commercial cannabis.

The Burn ‘ Em Plan admittedly is a meatball concept as no one community or municipality shall ever lay claim to being king cannabis. However, Chicago – where Grown In Enterprises LLC is based – does have a unique mix of multi-state operators, canna-curious corporations, venture-backed digital service providers and aspirationally progressive lawmakers. 

So, for Grown In’s inaugural doobie-deep-dive on commercial cannabis centers in the United States, we decided to kick things off in our own sweet home. 

Among the five problem areas with associated recommendations that we curated from 17 ninety minute and in-person/facilitated small group conversations, only one is specific to weed in the Windy City. 

We are all in this together. 

The Burn ‘Em Plan Executive Summary should be considered the first draft of a living, breathing (inhaling?) initiative to drive cannabis commerce through today’s interregnum of the existence of dozens of multibillion dollar state markets for a commodity deemed federally illegal. Only through intentional and creative coordination of established industry players, social equity advocates, bud-friendly big businesses and forward-thinking lawmakers can cannabis grow to become a fully normalized industry.

A special thanks to all of the volunteer facilitators and scribes that captured the foundation of this Executive Summary. We also want to thank our generous sponsors and dignitaries who made the Burn ‘Em Plan launch meeting such an historic event in our embryonic industry. 

Public Registration Now Open for Grown In’s October 5 Illinois Cannabis Business Wholesale Conference

On October 5, Grown In will convene dozens of newly licensed Illinois cannabis retailers, infusers and craft growers with established and new-to-market Illinois cultivators and brands.

We have a limited number of public tickets available for what should sensimilla event of the season for licensed Illinois operators, industry dignitaries, and those who want to be part of the conversation.

General Admission is free for certified Illinois license holders and representatives of participating cultivators and sponsors. 

Everybody else can now pay $99 for hours of networking, snacks, refreshments and perhaps a surprise or two along the way at Lacuna Lofts in Chicago’s Pilsen Neighborhood.

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Brad Spirrison is a journalist, serial entrepreneur and media ecologist. He lives in Chicago with his son. Interests include music, meditation and Miles Davis.