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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHow Illinois became the first state legislature to legalize marijuana sales
https://www.google.com/amp/s/beta.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/06/04/how-illinois-became-first-state-legislature-legalize-marijuana-sales/%3foutputType=ampTen states have legalized recreational marijuana use, most through ballot initiatives. On Friday, Illinois took things one step further, becoming the first state legislature to pass a bill legalizing the sale and possession of it. (In 2018, Vermont lawmakers legalized possession only.)
The Illinois bill is notable for its attempts to wrap in significant criminal justice reform. Karen OKeefe, with the Marijuana Policy Project, says it has a very broad component expunging peoples criminal records for doing what will soon be legal in Illinois. Additionally, would-be marijuana vendors in high-poverty, high-conviction neighborhoods will get preference in their applications. Proceeds from taxes and revenue will be reinvested in communities hit hard by marijuana convictions. (Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) is expected to sign the bill, making Illinois the 11th state where marijuana is legal for recreational use.)
The Fix spoke to state Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D), a leading pro-legalization voice in the legislatures black caucus, about how she advocated for the bill against a significant backdrop of skepticism within the black community. Our conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
dalton99a
(81,570 posts)beachbum bob
(10,437 posts)was removed from the recreational aspect and placed into the medical marijuana law. Which BTW, the legislature added improvements into the medical marijuana law too with additions of other conditions it can be proscribed for and they will allow PAs and high level RNS to do the evalautions instead of only physicians.
Snarkoleptic
(6,001 posts)a provision, which would have allowed anyone to grow up to 5-plants.
Here's a decent summary-
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/what-you-need-to-know-about-marijuana-legalization-in-illinois/
Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,505 posts)stick to their old ways no matter what.
Eyeball_Kid
(7,434 posts)Even if youre using it daily, youll never come close to burning through that much in a year. Five plants
worth and youre giving it away like candy at Halloween. Too bad they still prohibit growing for rec., but quite likely, enforcing that law will have the urgency of making arrests for jaywalking. Cops just wont care, and I wouldnt blame them.