Illinois Legislature Passes Bill to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

A bill that would legalize and regulate marijuana use for adults in Illinois, The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA), was approved by state legislators and is now headed to the desk of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is expected to sign it.

“The CRTA would end cannabis prohibition in Illinois and replace it with a system to tax and regulate cannabis for adults 21 and older,” reported MPP. “Starting January 1, 2020, adults could possess cannabis and purchase cannabis products in licensed stores. Possession would be limited to 30 grams of raw cannabis, cannabis-infused products containing no more than 500 mg of THC, and five grams of cannabis product in concentrated form.”

With Gov. Pritzker’s signature, Illinois will become the 11th state to legalize marijuana for adult use and the first state to legalize and regulate the sale of cannabis to adults via its legislative process.

MPP worked closely with bill sponsors, Sen. Heather Steans and Rep. Kelly Cassidy, to lay the groundwork needed to pass legalization in Illinois.

“MPP is proud to have worked hand-in-hand with state lawmakers and Gov. Pritzker to develop this historic legislation,” said MPP. “Illinois will become the first state in the nation to enact adult-use legalization and retail sales through the legislative process.”