Recreational marijuana could be legalized in Illinois

On Wednesday two separate bills were introduced in the Illinois General Assembly that if passed would legalize recreational use of marijuana. State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, filed for an amendment to House Bill 2353. State Senator Heather Steans also introduced a bill that would make possession of up to 28 grams of marijuana legal.

The amendment introduced by Kelly Cassidy would make marijuana a regulated substance that will be taxed just like alcohol and anyone above 21 years of age will be allowed to carry the drug legally. Violations will be considered as a Class B misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 6 months in prison, up to 2 years of probation, and up to a $1,500 fine for each offense. The growing, processing and selling of marijuana will be regulated by the state and safety regulations and guidelines for testing labeling etc. will also be established.

Residents of the states can have up to one ounce of marijuana on their person and can grow five plants while people visiting the state can carry 14 grams or half ounce of the drug. Illinois already has a medical marijuana program that allows the sale of the drug to patients suffering from diseases like cancer, AIDS etc. If the new legislature comes into effect then medical marijuana dispensaries will sell the drug to recreational users for a year, only after a year will newly licensed businesses be allowed to sell marijuana.

The reaction to the bill has been mixed so far. Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police are against the bill, they said that marijuana is a threat to public health and safety and there could be enforcement problems as federal law prohibits recreational marijuana usage. Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Michael Madigan have been disinclined to comment.

The bill will not be coming up for vote in this session, the co-sponsors Sen. Heather Steans and Rep. Kelly Cassidy would like to test the waters and hold hearings to see if they can drum up support for the bill sometime next year.

“If we bring this out in the open, we can generate revenue legally rather than for the black market,” Senator Steans said.

Cassidy said, “Regulating marijuana and removing the criminal element from marijuana production and sales will make our communities safer.”