Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the bill legalizing marijuana this week.
What We Know:
- The signed bill, known as HB 1438, has made marijuana legal for those 21 and over as well as bring support to those with marijuana-related offenses for the better.
- According to the Marijuana Policy Project, there are roughly 770,000 Illinois residents with these offenses on their criminal records.
- The new law known as the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (taking effect in 2020), allows people to automatically receive clemency for convictions up to 30 grams of cannabis. Those convicted for 30-500 grams of cannabis can petition a court to have the charge lifted.
- A “social equity program” is also included so it is much easier for those with these convictions to gain their business licenses.
- The program also includes $12 million for startup businesses related to marijuana as well as funding for job training programs in the state’s cannabis industry.
- Along with programs to help people (especially low-income students) to get ready to work in the newly legal industry, this is a positive step forward for Illinois.
This is going to change so many lives for the better.
