Illinois marijuana legalization bill expected to be signed Tuesday

It is a very exciting time to be living in Illinois! In Chicago, Governor JB Pritzker is expected to sign a state bill legalizing marijuana possession into law Tuesday. The CRTA (Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act) is about to make Illinois the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana, and be the first to legislatively legalize the retail sale. This was passed by the General Assembly in May, just before the end of their legislative session.

HB 1438, the bill that recreationally legalizes possession, purchase and sale of marijuana by and to adults over the age of 21 will be effective as of January 1, 2020.This program will begin at dispensaries that are already open for Illinois medical marijuana patients.

All Adults over 21 will be legally allowed to purchase up to 30 grams of cannabis flower, edibles that total no more than 500mg of THC and five grams of cannabis concentrates. Non-residents can purchase up to half of those amounts. Illinois medical marijuana patients will be allowed to cultivate up to five marijuana plants at home for their personal use. This alone is much different than Colorado’s current recreational laws. In CO, 28 grams of cannabis flower, eight grams of cannabis concentrate and up to only 100mg of edibles are legal for recreational users.