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The governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, announced Saturday that he had reached an agreement with leading lawmakers on a plan to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes in the state from next year.
The legislation would allow adults 21 years of age and over to legally buy cannabis for recreational purposes from licensed clinics. Illinois residents can own up to about 30 grams of marijuana, while non-residents can own about 15 grams.
The measure would also automatically clear some marijuana convictions.
If the bill passes, Illinois will join 10 other states, including neighboring Michigan, to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. While Illinois law comes into effect on Jan. 1, the first licenses for Illinois producers, processors and dispensaries would be issued only in May and July 2020, the office said. of the governor.
Democrat colleagues in Chicago joined Pritzker in announcing the agreement, which follows years of discussions among state legislators. They said the measure will be introduced Monday, which will open debate in the Legislature, where Democrats hold the majority of votes in both houses.
The proposal "begins to repair some historical injustices" against minority communities that have been victims of discriminatory drug policies and their enforcement, said the new governor.
"This bill promotes equity by providing resources and a second chance to individuals and communities who have been harmed by policies such as the failure of the" war on drugs ", said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Black.
The measure includes a $ 20 million low interest loan program designed to help cover start-up costs of a licensed cannabis business for "social equity candidates" . These claimants would include people who have lived in a "disproportionately affected area" – or communities with high rates of poverty and high rates of arrest and incarceration for marijuana-related offenses – or having been arrested or sentenced for offenses that may be struck off.
Critics of legalization, including law enforcement and the NAACP of Illinois, said it would lead to more addiction and mental health problems and would hurt instead of helping black communities.
"The consequences of this bill are significant and will have devastating effects on citizens, communities and youth," said Kevin Samet, founder and president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana. "Illinois lawmakers must take a smart and sensible approach, and not be welcome in another for-profit state-owned addiction industry."
Medical cannabis is already legal in Illinois. Pritzker has campaigned on the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes and has $ 170 million in license fees in its proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1st. He said that future income from legal marijuana will help Illinois solve some of its financial problems.
The governor's office said that 35% of legal cannabis revenues would go to the state's general operating fund, while an additional 25% would go to a new Restoring Our Communities fund. This money would be distributed in the form of grants to communities that "have suffered the most because of discriminatory drug policies".
Illinois would use 10% of its revenue to settle a backlog of unpaid bills. The remaining funds would go to mental health and addiction treatment, law enforcement grants, education and public awareness.
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Follow the full coverage of marijuana by AP: https://apnews.com/Marijuana
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