Share:

Over the past several years, marijuana has been making waves in the legislative branch, and Illinois became the 11th state to legalize its recreational use this past June. If you’ve yet to hear about this new law or want to know more specifics before meeting with an attorney, consult the following guide.

What Does the New Illinois Marijuana Law State?

Although it won’t take effect until January 1, 2020, Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed the Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act. This act legalizes the recreational use and purchase of marijuana.

attorneyAccording to the law, Illinois residents over the age of 21 may possess up to 500 milligrams of THC, five grams of concentrate, or 30 grams of cannabis flower at a time. Individuals over the age of 18 who are visiting the state can possess 15 grams of cannabis at a time. If you have a license for medical marijuana, you can also legally grow up to five plants in your house. However, this marijuana can’t be used for recreational purposes.

All marijuana legally sold in Illinois will be taxed. If a cannabis flower has less than 35% THC content, it will receive a 10% tax. Products infused with cannabis will be taxed at 20%, and products with over 35% THC will have a 25% tax. A quarter of this tax revenue will go toward rebuilding impoverished communities throughout Illinois in an effort called “Restore, Reinvest, and Renew.” When it comes to selling marijuana, the act establishes a social equity program, which offers grants and loans to minority shop owners.

Does the Law Expunge Past Charges?

This act will benefit those who were previously arrested for possessing 30 grams of marijuana or less, expunging the records of 800,000 individuals. Even though marijuana was decriminalized in Illinois in 2016, hundreds of arrests and tickets have continued to be issued per year in Chicago alone, making this a groundbreaking addition to the act. 

Rock Island County has a plan for expungement of some of those criminal records. For more information the article detailing the plan can be found HERE.

If you believe you might be eligible for expungement, get in touch with the attorneys at Pepping, Balk, Kincaid & Olson Ltd. Based in Silvis, IL, this team has over 75 years of combined legal experience to draw from as they serve over 2,000 clients a year. From real estate and bankruptcy to criminal misdemeanors, you can rely on these attorneys to fight for your rights. Visit their website to learn more about their practice areas, or call (309) 755-5096 to schedule a consultation with an attorney.

tracking