It’s Official! Illinois becomes 11th state to allow recreational marijuana
Illinois’ signs legislation making the state the 11th to approve marijuana for recreational use in a program offering legal remedies and economic benefits to minorities whose lives critics say were damaged by a wayward war on drugs.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Nearly 800,000 people with criminal records for purchasing or possessing 30 grams of marijuana or less may have those records expunged
- Vendor preference will go to minority owners and 25% of tax revenue will be used to redevelop impoverished communities
- Residents may purchase and possess up to 1 ounce (30 grams) of marijuana at a time. Non-residents may have 15 grams
- After they’re licensed and established, dispensaries can start selling Jan. 1, 2020
