Effects of Legalizing Marijuana in Illinois

Effects of Legalizing Marijuana in Illinois

On January 1, 2020, Illinois legalized the use of recreational marijuana – like most other states in the nation. While the decision may prove to be financially beneficial for the state, certain naysayers believe the ‘gateway drug’ can create problems, which can derail the fight against drugs.
 
Let’s look at the pros. According to The Daily Illini, the revenue generated from the sale of legal marijuana can prove invaluable for pushing social, infrastructural and educational improvements on a large scale. The capital can be used to benefit underdeveloped communities, which are suffering due to low employment rates and those that have been gutted because of industrialization.
 
According to the same article, with this solution, taxpayers are expected to save upwards of $18.4 million a year, which would otherwise go into incarceration costs, law enforcement and legal charges.
 
This is understandable if we consider the fact there has been in increase in the number of criminal cases, especially among minorities who sold drugs to make ends meet. By locking them up, the state did nothing but make the problem worse. These aggressive tactics were often the result of the mistaken belief that marijuana is as bad as cocaine or heroin. By making marijuana mainstream, the public has come to respect marijuana use and realize it is not the same as hard-hitting drugs.
 
In fact, medical marijuana has very real benefits for people who suffer from chronic pain. Ironically, it has also been known to help opioid addicts overcome addictions, making it is a solution that can be used to treat a serious epidemic.
 
Marijuana Legalization in Illinois

The line between medical and recreational marijuana use is still a bit blurry in Illinois. To ensure you remain on the right side of the law, you should apprise yourself of current policies such as the following:
 

• You can have up to 30 grams of marijuana in your possession or an ounce of cannabis flower. Plus, the cannabis infused products in your possession should not contain more than 500 mg of THC.
• You can smoke marijuana in your home and in some businesses that allow it. This excludes public spaces, near individuals who are less than 21-years-old, in a vehicle, on school grounds (unless required for medical use) and near an off-duty police officer, bus driver, corrections officer or a firefighter.
• Non patients cannot grow marijuana at home and medical patients can grow up to five (5) plants at a time. Violations can lead to a $200 fine.

You can find out more here.
 
If you have been accused of a drug crime in Palos Heights, Illinois, look no further than the attorneys at the law firm of Michael D. Ettinger & Associates. We have the knowledge, experience and tenacity to represent you aggressively in court. We offer proactive legal counsel and aid to Illinoisans and have an excellent track record that proves our dedication to each client. Get in touch with us for a consultation today.