New Illinois Marijuana Law Is Now Legal
By AlpLocal News
January 4, 2020
CHICAGO – The wait for recreational pot is over in Illinois. Record crowds are lining up to purchase recreational marijuana and medical marijuana.
On day one, January 1st, there was a reported $3 million in first day sales. While Illinois residence are able to buy, residents from other states can only buy half the amounts of Illinois residents.
“It’s so good to be able to buy legal pot”, one Wisconsin resident said. Like this Wisconsin resident, many have crossed the Illinois state line to buy recreational pot.
On Tuesday, December 31st, Governor Pritzker announced pardons that would expunge 11,017 misdemeanor convictions for cannabis offenses involving less than 30 grams.
Illinois is the first state where lawmakers passed legislation legalizing recreational cannabis, which is still illegal at the federal level.
What about other states…
Other states where marijuana can be legally purchased include Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.
While there is a huge amount of interest in acquiring marijuana for recreational use in many states, it is still illegal on the Federal level under Federal Law. What that means for the future is still debatable.
What about Federal Law…
In the United States, the use and possession of cannabis is illegal under federal law for any purpose, by way of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Under the CSA, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I substance, determined to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use – thereby prohibiting even medical use of the drug.
What about local communities…
Many local communities have expanded their view of what should and should not count as a socially acceptable vice largely due to the amount of tax revenue and purported health benefits. Community support for those whose use of opioids has become a serious problem and medical marijuana use appears to be an evolving solution. Even many who have previously opposed its use have had a “change of heart”.
Many like John Boehner, the Ohio Republican and the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, says he has never tried marijuana. “I’ve never used the product. I really have no plans to use the product,” he said on NPR’s All Things Considered. “But if other people use the product,” Boehner said, “who am I to say they shouldn’t?”. Boehner’s position appears to have softened since speaking with veterans, community leaders and others. Boehner is also on the board of a marijuana company. He joined the board of Acreage Holdings, a publicly-traded cannabis company based in New York.
Many residents, law enforcement and medical professionals are quietly expressing reservations as well as a wait and see attitude. However, cross state line law enforcement agencies, who have many “tools” to detect marijuana, are reminding their residents that there could be legal exposure if found in possession.
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ALPHABET GLOBAL NEWS
In the United States, the use and possession of cannabis is illegal under federal law for any purpose, by way of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Under the CSA, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I substance, determined to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use – thereby prohibiting even medical use of the drug.
What about local communities…
Many local communities have expanded their view of what should and should not count as a socially acceptable vice largely due to the amount of tax revenue and purported health benefits. Community support for those whose use of opioids has become a serious problem and medical marijuana use appears to be an evolving solution. Even many who have previously opposed its use have had a “change of heart”.
Many like John Boehner, the Ohio Republican and the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, says he has never tried marijuana. “I’ve never used the product. I really have no plans to use the product,” he said on NPR’s All Things Considered. “But if other people use the product,” Boehner said, “who am I to say they shouldn’t?”. Boehner’s position appears to have softened since speaking with veterans, community leaders and others. Boehner is also on the board of a marijuana company. He joined the board of Acreage Holdings, a publicly-traded cannabis company based in New York.
Many residents, law enforcement and medical professionals are quietly expressing reservations as well as a wait and see attitude. However, cross state line law enforcement agencies, who have many “tools” to detect marijuana, are reminding their residents that there could be legal exposure if found in possession.
News you can use! Enjoy the best of news from your community by Alphabet Global News.
ALPHABET GLOBAL NEWS
