SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) — States across the country are setting up the business infrastructure for the regulation of the fledgling marijuana industry. Seventeen states, including Illinois, have legalized the sale of marijuana for recreational use. In the recent election, voters in five other states approved measures to legalize marijuana in 2021.

Creating regulations for the new marijuana industry is full of pitfalls. Stakeholders say coordination among states, learning from other states and identifying best practices will benefit all parties.

To formalize the effort, Illinois has become a founding member of the new Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA). Danielle Perry, Illinois’ Cannabis Regulation and Oversight Officer, will represent Illinois on the board.

“As we continue to prioritize equity in forming Illinois’ legal cannabis industry, we look forward to sharing our learnings and benefiting from the experience of other states in the months and years ahead,” Perry said in a statement announcing the new partnership.

Reporter Bart Schaneman covers the marijuana industry for Marijuana Business Daily. For business owners, Schaneman said a joint effort among state regulators to come up with sensible, streamlined regulations is long overdue.

“Every time a new state develops the rules for its own program, they seem to forget that other states have already done it,” Schaneman said.

Regulations in almost every state are different. They have different logic and different rules. There are different opportunities for business owners. Some work better than others. The idea of an association to encourage collaboration is something that business owners can really get behind, Schaneman said.

“This is a great thing for the industry,” he said.

CANNRA is non-partisan. Business owners and other private-sector stakeholders are not allowed to have a role in the new association. It is strictly for regulators and representatives from relevant government offices. Membership in CANNRA is not available to industry participants or advocacy organizations.

By COLE LAUTERBACH for the Illinois Radio Network