Marijuana licenses: Residents of 681 Illinois census tracts can get a leg up on applications. Here’s which areas qualify, and why.

Applications for licenses to operate 75 marijuana stores are now available, offering the first path into the industry for those who don’t already operate a cannabis business in Illinois. A map the state released identifying areas hit hardest by the war on drugs could play a vital role for some applicants.

More than 2 million people live in the hard-hit areas identified on the map. A qualified resident of those areas who applies to grow and sell recreational marijuana will get an additional 50 points on the application, which has...