By Neil Doyle

Illinois’ governor is reacting to adult-use cannabis sales and the tax revenue generated during the first month.

The Illinois Department of Revenue announced recreational marijuana sales brought in $7,332,058 in cannabis tax revenue during January, with an additional $3,147,928.29 generated in retail sales tax revenue.

Speaking to reporters, Governor J.B. Pritzker said he was happy with the numbers.

“I think the revenue was more than people expected and I think that is going to continue,” he said. “Very importantly much of that revenue goes to some important things like mental health services and substance abuse treatment. It also will pay for our backlog of bills.”

During last week’s budget message, Pritzker projected cannabis sales would generate $28 million for the remainder of the fiscal year which ends in June.

ALLOCATION OF STATE REVENUE

• Minus administrative costs, the remaining state revenue will be allocated as follows:

o 35% for the General Revenue Fund,
o 25% for the Criminal Justice Information Projects Fund to support the R3 program,
o 20% for the Department of Human Services Community Services Fund to address substance abuse and prevention, and mental health concerns,
o 10% for the Budget Stabilization Fund to pay the backlog of unpaid bills,
o 8% for the Local Government Distributive Fund to support crime prevention programs, training, and interdiction efforts, including detection, enforcement, and prevention efforts, relating to the illegal cannabis market and driving under the influence of cannabis, and
o 2% for the Drug Treatment Fund to fund public education campaigns and to support data collection and analysis of the public health impacts of legalizing the recreational use of cannabis.