Illinois Governor Unveils Plan to Legalize Cannabis

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]I[/dropcap]llinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced on May 4 his plan to move forward and legalize recreational cannabis in the state through a statute rather than a ballot initiative. During the press conference, Pritzker was joined by other state lawmakers who helped put the bill together.

While speaking at the Black United Fund’s office in Chicago, Illinois, the governor laid out his plans to roll out the new measure. “Years of work by stakeholders across Illinois means that today we are putting forward a framework to legalize adult use cannabis on January 1, 2020,” Pritzker tweeted. The bill would be filed as an amendment to Senate Bill 7. The law would allow Illinois residents who are 21 and over to possess up to an ounce of cannabis, and non-residents would be able to possess a half-ounce.

The bill’s quickly addresses those who suffered from discriminatory policies during the prohibition era. “This bill advances equity by providing resources and second chances to people and communities that have been harmed by policies such as the failed ‘war on drugs,'” stated Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. Up to 800,000 cannabis convictions could be expunged, and those with prior convictions would be able to work within the industry.

Sen. Heather Steans and Rep. Kelly Cassidy have been developing a bill for months, and it’s taken longer to process than typical adult use cannabis bills. A previous attempt to push forward a bill failed to clear both chambers. “No state has gone to tax-and-regulate by legislation versus ballot referendum,” Cassidy said. “That’s why it’s taken more time than other bigger bills.”

Years of work by stakeholders across Illinois means that today we are putting forward a framework to legalize adult use cannabis on January 1, 2020. pic.twitter.com/l1rbX9Oozu

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) May 4, 2019

Before now, former Gov. Bruce Rauner blocked most efforts to legalize cannabis from getting anywhere legislatively. Under Pritzker’s new leadership, however, the ball is rolling much faster. If the bill moves forward, licenses would be available by next summer.