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Illinois Medical Marijuana Passes, Industrial Hemp Waits in the Wings

April 26, 2013

Update: The Bill passed a Senate Committee.

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Lawmakers in the Illinois State House passed legislation this week that will set up a four-year medical marijuana program should Governor Pat Quinn sign it as expected. This victory could pave the way for a longer-term medical marijuana system and even help an industrial hemp bill gain momentum. [Read more…]

Filed Under: drug laws Tagged With: hemp, marijuana, medical

Illinois Lawmakers Make Case for Medical Marijuana

April 5, 2013

marijuana legalization

Illinois State Representative Lou Lang and Senator Bill Haine made their case for medical marijuana legislation in a column in the State Journal-Register of Springfield. In it they outline why the legislation is a responsible and progressive option that would give patients access to the medicine they need while laying important framework to minimize any effects on the still-illegal and not-yet-up-for-debate recreational marijuana.

According to the lawmakers’ op-ed, their legislation (House Bill 1) could make Illinois the 19th state to pass laws designed to help chronically ill people have access to helpful medical marijuana. They point out that 83% of Americans support such laws and that there is significant evidence that marijuana truly does help chronic pain and other medical issues.

marijuana leafIn an effort to squash critics, the lawmakers use their column to dispel any questions about the law’s nature—pointing out that it will not be a “hands-off” policy like those in some states where a lack of regulatory framework has created a bit of a free for all.

The law would be a 4-year pilot program. As we wrote a few weeks ago, it passed a House Committee and is now going before lawmakers.

Access to medical marijuana under the law would not be an easy process. In an effort to keep the pot only for those who truly need it, patients would have to go through several steps in order to qualify.

First, a recommendation would have to come from a doctor who had a true relationship with the patient (not someone who set up shop solely to dole out marijuana prescriptions). The doctor would have to say the patient has one of the specified medical conditions and that they would get benefit from medical marijuana.

Then, the patient’s medical history would be forwarded to the state Department of Public Health that would actually conduct background checks on the patient. Anyone with a felony on their record would be disqualified. If the information in the patient’s medical record is verified, only then will the patient be issued a medical marijuana ID card.

Everything from the registration process to how the marijuana is obtained would be tightly controlled. For those who are frustrated with such strict regulations, it’s important to note that without such regulations assuring lawmakers that the industry will be on the up-and-up, the bill wouldn’t likely be passed.

The four-year medical marijuana pilot program is a step in the right direction, albeit not the giant step some advocates would want. Until marijuana is completely legalized, however, these small steps should be encouraged.

Filed Under: drug laws Tagged With: marijuana, medical

Massive Pot Field Burned to the Ground on Chicago’s South Side

October 11, 2012

A marijuana grow field was discovered on Chicago’s Far South Side last week and it didn’t take long for police to completely burn the crop to the ground. The pot field was said to be massive and to be somewhere that police helicopters flew over often, though it remained undiscovered until now. [Read more…]

Filed Under: drug laws Tagged With: Chicago, marijuana

Your Car Can Be Taken From You If Passenger Has Pot in Chicago

August 3, 2012

A little known city code in Chicago allows for the city to take your car when someone within it is found to possess a drug—even if you aren’t aware of it. This means drivers in Chicago may want to start patting down their passengers if they hope to completely eliminate the risk. [Read more…]

Filed Under: drug laws Tagged With: Chicago, drugs, Forfeiture, marijuana

Marijuana Possession Decriminalized in Chicago

June 28, 2012

A ordinance passed this week in the city of Chicago reduces the penalty you’ll face if you are caught in possession of marijuana. The change follows similar such ordinances in several large cities across the nation. Now, if you are found in possession of less than 15 grams (or a half-ounce) of marijuana, police can issue a ticket rather than arresting you. [Read more…]

Filed Under: drug laws Tagged With: Chicago, laws, marijuana

In Chicago, Pot Possession Largely Decriminalized

November 4, 2011

A recent Gallup poll showed more than half of Americans favor legalizing marijuana, more than ever before. And with state and local budgets being stretched thin, some communities are seeing a tendency for law enforcement to let pot possession slide without official criminal charges. According to the Sun-Times, this trend has led to a virtual decriminalization of pot within the city of Chicago. [Read more…]

Filed Under: drug laws Tagged With: drugs, marijuana

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