Illinois becomes the 11th state to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use, yet many questions on the specifics of the law and what it means for the people of Illinois remain.
Buying Marijuana
According to the bill, consumers will be able to purchase marijuana for recreational use only from licensed sellers starting in January 2020. Allowing for individuals aged 21 and above to buy marijuana products from authorized sellers, with no need to have a medical card to do so.
Currently, the only legal sellers of recreational marijuana will be medical marijuana dispensaries. However, in mid-2020, Illinois will grant additional licenses to potential store owners, cultivators, and processors. County and municipal governments have the power to decide whether they will allow sellers to operate in their area.
Smoking Legally
The following are the rules governing the newly enacted law:
- You are allowed to smoke in your home and other cannabis-related establishments.
- The use of marijuana in public spaces such as streets, schools, and parks is prohibited.
- It’s prohibited to use marijuana for those who are below 21 years of age, on-duty police officers, firefighters, and bus drivers.
- Landlords can prohibit the use of marijuana on their property.
- Colleges and other earning institutions are also allowed to ban marijuana use on their premises.
Criminal Record
For people convicted with under 30 grams of marijuana possession (before its legalization) cases will be submitted to the Governor of Illinois. If the governor grants the pardon (as long as it was not related to violent crime), then the records will be expunged by the attorney general.
Furthermore, medical marijuana patients will be able to grow up to five plants at a time, yet non-patients are banned from doing so. For those who violate the law, a $200 civil penalty awaits them. These are only a few of the answers to some burning questions. Many are pondering what happens next after the legalization of marijuana in Illinois.
