The City of Chicago has been actively engaged in informing its residents about the nuances of cannabis use and industry. On February 1, 2020, the city hosted a cannabis resource fair. This event featured various experts who provided insights on topics such as expungement of prior cannabis records and starting a business in the cannabis industry.
Cannabis consumption has specific implications for young people. Research indicates that the brain continues to develop until age 25, and cannabis use can impair this development. Young individuals using cannabis might experience short-term memory issues, learning difficulties, and even a decline in intelligence. It’s also important to note that cannabis purchase and use are illegal for individuals under 21.
The Adult Use Cannabis Summary outlines major elements of HB 1438 – The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Key points include restrictions on the ownership of cultivation centers, with no entity allowed to hold a direct or indirect interest in more than three such centers. Furthermore, arrest records prior to January 1, 2000, must be expunged before 2023.
At the federal level, the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 includes provisions regarding medical marijuana. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is barred from taking legal action against states to prevent them from implementing or enforcing medical marijuana laws.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) launched “Operation Bottleneck” to address opioid diversion, highlighting the ongoing efforts to regulate controlled substances, including cannabis. This operation targeted six DEA-registered companies for failing to account for over a million doses of opioids.
Illinois law, effective July 1, 2023, allows adults 21 or older to possess and consume up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis flower, 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, or a total amount of cannabis products not exceeding 750 mg THC. This is designated as the “personal use amount.”
In Illinois, adults over 21 can legally possess, consume, and purchase cannabis from January 1, 2020. Consumption is permissible at licensed on-premises entities and on private property, with the owner’s consent. However, public consumption remains illegal. Cannabis dispensaries in the state operate between 6 am and 10 pm, and the state oversees their licensure, while the City of Chicago regulates their location.
An important update for medical cannabis patients in Illinois is the signing of HB 1443 on July 15, 2021, by Governor JB Pritzker. This law eliminates the requirement for medical cannabis patients to select a single dispensary. This change was initially implemented temporarily on June 25, 2021, and was made permanent with the signing of HB 1443.
For more detailed information, you can visit the City of Chicago – Cannabis Information Center, Cannabis Facts Chicago, Adult Use Cannabis Summary – Illinois.gov, and Medical Cannabis Patient Registry Program – Illinois Department of Public Health for comprehensive insights.
