Cannabis seems to have earned its way into Illinois’ legal and political “BUZZWORDS OF 2019”. In the midterm elections, the “war on drugs” lost a large battle in ten states that have now legalized cannabis for adults, while 33 allow medical use. Those major changes in legislation demonstrate the massive steps being taken to reform prohibitionist cannabis policies at the state, federal and international levels. Quintana Law Group is focused on understanding how Illinois Cannabis law changes affect the rights of Illinois’ Citizens.

As recently published in FORBES,

“2019 could be a banner year for legalization via state legislatures,” Mason Tvert, spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project, said in an email. “Several states across multiple regions of the country are strongly considering ending prohibition and regulating marijuana for adult use. A growing number of state lawmakers and governors are either getting behind these efforts or coming to the realization that they cannot hold them up much longer. The steady growth of public support we’ve been seeing around the country will likely translate into some major state-level victories for marijuana policy reform.”

Illinois’ recent election of its new Governor, J.B. Pritzker (D) was a strong statement by the residents of the state, as Pritzker made support for legalizing marijuana a centerpiece of his campaign, beginning in the primary race against fellow Democrats. At one point he even held a press conference outside of a medical cannabis dispensary. Shortly after Election Day, Pritzker confirmed that he wants to pursue legalization among top priorities when the new legislature convenes. Michael Madigan, the state House speaker, who until now has been noncommittal regarding Illinois Cannabis Law and the discontinuation of cannabis prohibition, says he’s on board with the incoming governor’s marijuana plans.

A study from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the University of Illinois determined last month that legalizing marijuana would create 24,000 jobs, generate more than $500 million in tax revenue and infuse roughly $1 billion into the state economy overall by 2020.

“In state after state, lawmakers are coming out of the woodwork in favor of legalization,” Justin Strekal, political director for NORML, said. “Be it on the grounds of criminal justice reform, community-police relations, racial justice, tax revenue or that they just see the writing on the wall, the political evolutions are accelerating at a tremendous rate.”

According to FORBES, Illinois does seem positioned to fully legalize marijuana in 2019. But there are others that seem potentially ready to do so via ballot initiatives in 2020 or that could pass other cannabis-related legislation in the upcoming new year. These legal changes could mean an opportunity for previous convictions to be expunged or sealed.

If you’re interested in seeking legal counsel for a Drug Possession charge or conviction, you should contact Quintana Law Group now. For more information and updates regarding the Illinois Cannabis Law changes and how they may affect you.