A Democratic state lawmaker has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois that likely goes further than other legislators prefer, but it has officially started the debate over complex legislation that will need to serve many interests. The bill, introduced Jan. 25 by Rep. Carol Ammons of Urbana, would allow licensed businesses to grow […]
illinois marijuana
Illinois state legislators lay out plans for recreational marijuana proposal
Marijuana “bars” would be prohibited, and teenagers caught driving under the influence of marijuana would lose their licenses, a Springfield audience was told Monday night by lawmakers crafting a bill to allow recreational use of cannabis in Illinois. Hearing those details pleased state Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, whose town hall-style meeting on the issue […]
With Pritzker and Madigan on board, Illinois Dems push again for marijuana legalization
State Sen. Heather Steans and state Rep. Kelly Cassidy introduced legislation last March to legalize recreational cannabis in Illinois, but the bills failed in both houses of the Legislature. A lot has since changed in Illinois politics, and the Chicago Democrats now plan to give it another try. On Election Day, pro-pot Democrat J.B. Pritzker cruised to victory past […]
Illinois just elected a cannabis-friendly governor and Chicago pot companies are on the move
In the past six months, Illinois marijuana companies have gone public in Canada, raised hundreds of millions of dollars to fund expansions and consolidated through a number of deals — one topping $680 million. The state’s medical marijuana companies are moving at a fast and furious pace. They are largely past the days when growth was stagnant and there […]
Candidates for Illinois governor are split over marijuana legalization despite popular support
In supporting marijuana legalization, Illinois gubernatorial challenger J.B. Pritzker could usher in a change that affects everything from criminal justice to public health to the economy if he’s elected. In coming out against recreational use of cannabis, incumbent Gov. Bruce Rauner may appeal to his base, while finding himself on the less popular side of […]
5 things to know about the expanded medical marijuana law in Illinois
llinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed into law a measure that stands to create a new class of medical marijuana users. Here’s a look at what the change will mean: 1. More access … The new law allows medical marijuana to be used as a replacement for opioid pain medication. That means anyone whose doctor would write […]
Lawmakers In Illinois Embrace Medical Marijuana As An Opioid Alternative
A painkiller prescription could become a ticket for medical marijuana in Illinois. Lawmakers there passed a bill making anyone with a prescription for opioids eligible for its medical cannabis program. With this move, Illinois joins a growing number of states turning to legal cannabis in the fight against painkiller addiction. “As we see the horrible […]
Illinois Lawmakers Approve Measure To Allow Medical Marijuana As Prescription Painkiller Substitute
Illinois lawmakers have approved a measure not only to allow medical marijuana to be used in place of prescription painkillers, but to eliminate requirements for patients to get fingerprints and criminal background checks. The change would allow all new applicants to buy medical marijuana from licensed dispensaries based on their doctors’ orders, rather than having to wait […]
Illinois Votes To Allow Students To Bring Medical Marijuana To School
The Illinois Senate’s overwhelming vote to allow sick students to take medical marijuana in school sends the proposal to Gov. Bruce Rauner for a decision on its fate. The state Senate voted 50-2 last week to allow students who qualify for medical marijuana to consume it on school premises, as long as they don’t smoke it and school officials agree […]
People with opioid prescriptions could get medical marijuana instead under Illinois Senate plan
Patients with a prescription for opioids would temporarily qualify for the state’s medical marijuana program under a bill the Illinois Senate passed Thursday. Supporters say the idea is to give those in pain alternatives amid the ongoing opioid addiction epidemic. Opponents suggested the bill is an effort to help Illinois’ new medical marijuana dispensaries make money. Under the proposal, […]
Illinois’ Cannabis Industry Doesn’t Expect Any Changes Despite New Federal Policy
Members of Illinois’ medical marijuana industry say they’re disappointed by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ move to allow more aggressive enforcement of marijuana laws — but business operators maintain existing laws will protect them. And one of the sponsors of a proposal to legalize recreational pot in Illinois says the federal shift won’t derail the bill’s chances. […]
Doctors From Illinois Are Fighting For Medical Marijuana To Replace Opioids
As a prominent Chicago surgeon, Dr. Charles Bush-Joseph sees them all too frequently: people who endure severe injuries or multiple surgeries, only to become addicted to prescription painkillers. One patient who pleaded for help was on such strong drugs already that Bush-Joseph knew he couldn’t handle more surgery without dangerously high levels of opioids. But […]
With Illinois as a Model, Missouri Could See Medical Marijuana After 2018
A small building nestled off Interstate 70 in Collinsville looks like a typical doctor’s office, until you get inside and look up close at the colorful artwork on the walls. They’re portraits of marijuana plants. At this dispensary, about 12 miles east of the Missouri border, patients and the medical staff have lively conversations about the […]
Illinois Lawmakers Consider Marijuana Legalization
As the czar of Colorado’s marijuana program, Barbara Brohl says she is neither pro- nor anti-pot. But she believes the legal market for the drug is eating into the black market, funding drug abuse treatment and prevention and providing a safer product. The roughly $200 million in tax revenue from more than $1 billion in […]
As Pot Gains Steam, Law Firms See Increasing Need for Their Practice
Monica Gutierrez wants to be an intellectual property lawyer. But here she is, sitting in a law class on marijuana. The gray area between state and federal law intrigues Gutierrez — she needs to learn how to help cannabis businesses get their names federally registered, she said — and she’s not alone. Law firms throughout […]
Illinois Considers Legal Marijuana to Fix Budget Crisis
Marijuana advocates are trying to lay the groundwork for Illinois to become the first state in the Midwest and the ninth nationwide to legalize recreational pot, arguing the move will help solve the state’s notorious budget crisis. Two Illinois state lawmakers introduced legislation last week that would allow residents 21 and older to possess, grow […]
Illinois Lawmakers Introduce Marijuana Legalization Bills
Lawmakers are proposing to legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois but say the legislation probably won’t come up for a vote until next year. Sponsors on Wednesday introduced bills that would make it legal for adults 21 and older to possess, grow and buy limited amounts of marijuana. The bills propose taxing marijuana at a rate […]
Illinois Medical Marijuana Sales Reach $23 Million
Medical marijuana sales reached more than $3.8 million last month at licensed dispensaries throughout Illinois. The state released new monthly sales figures Wednesday. September’s sales figures bring the total retail sales in Illinois to $23.5 million since purchasing began in November last year, topping the $20 million mark for the first time. The program now […]
