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Senate votes to legalize cannabis 38-17-2
Wednesday, May 29, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller * Senate Democrats voting “No” were Bertino-Tarrant and Crowe…  Republicans voting “Yes” were Anderson, Barickman and McClure. Democratic Sen. Harris voted “Present” and Sens. Stadelman and Van Pelt didn’t vote. The bill now moves to the House. Its fate in that chamber is still uncertain.
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- Mittuns - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:00 pm:
Disappointed in Crowe’s No vote.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:02 pm:
McClure also a GOP yes vote
- Matt - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:02 pm:
Nice job to Senator Steans for all of her effort in getting this passed. She worked in a bipartisan manner and it’s very encouraging.
I’m still disappointed that homegrow is not included for the general public. If you can brew beer in your living room you should be able to grow weed in your bedroom.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:03 pm:
Van Pelt not voting was probably a good idea.
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:04 pm:
I’ve said it before, but this is another perfect example that the only reason J B-T has that seat is because plainfield can’t put up a republican competitor that is… capable.
I’m disappointed in her vote. I would be pleased to see her face a primary challenge for quite a few reasons.
- Dano - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:07 pm:
So, on to the real question: How is the house going to vote?
- LetsLegalizeIt - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:12 pm:
@Dano, this was mostly a party line vote, and Madigan has shown that he’s on Pritzker’s side, so I’m expecting a similar show as today. The real question is when it will happen, tomorrow or Friday?
- LivingInIllinois - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:12 pm:
Test comment.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:15 pm:
Thank you to the Senate Republicans who voted in favor of this bill. I hope there are a few Republican colleagues in the House who will also join in, to maybe secure passage.
This is a huge piece of reform legislation, and Sen. Steans did a magnificent closing argument for the bill.
- Fax Machine - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:15 pm:
Put up or shut up time for Marty Moylan
- Southern - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:25 pm:
Disappointed that no home-grown is allowed. Hopefully, the local cops won’t be devoting tons of resources toward finding people who are growing something that’s … legal.
- Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:32 pm:
===Hopefully, the local cops won’t be devoting tons of resources toward finding people who are growing something that’s … legal.===
Will depend on the dept. but unless someone is selling to kids or in large quantities, I just don’t see law enforcement going out of its way to find home growers.
- Rockford’s Finest - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:33 pm:
Pretty disappointed in Sen. Stadelman but somewhat expected. He also voted present or was a no vote for the medical program.
- Straddle it good - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:35 pm:
No one rides the fence better than Neil Anderson
- Ok - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:36 pm:
Can always pass home grow in a year or two
- Illinois Resident - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:41 pm:
Agree Rockford’s Finest. He is in my area and his non vote shows zero courage at all. I guess a no vote from Syverson was expected but Stadelman is a democrat and he should have been on board.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:41 pm:
–The bill now moves to the House. Its fate in that chamber is still uncertain.–
The Senate Dems are a much tighter crew. That’s clear to anyone who can count (that obviously excludes some fever-dream editorial boards and columnists).
Things still going too fast for you, Marty and tronc edit board? Want to sit down and rest for a while?
- Illinois Resident - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:43 pm:
Pretty dominant senate vote. I believe veto proof? Not that we need that. My guess is that the house vote will be a lot closer but will still pass, Hopefully.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:51 pm:
Mittuns, Crowe is a target. She’s got to tread carefully.
- Illinois_Sixth - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 7:53 pm:
=Hopefully, the local cops won’t be devoting tons of resources toward finding people who are growing something that’s legal=
To collect a max $200 fine? This bill basically decriminalizes home grow up to 5 plants.
- Hopefull - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 8:09 pm:
For those thinking the Cannabis Control Act changes have “decriminalized” home grow…
You don’t just get arrested and charged with cultivation. You get popped for possession, intent to deliver and trafficking.
Those laws remain extremely harsh even after the changes.
- justacitizen - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 8:15 pm:
Wonder if the rabbits would prefer 5 pot plants instead of the rest of the vegetables in my garden? Worth a try.
- Lavon P - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 8:38 pm:
Illinois legislators for the 3 card monte
- G'Kar - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 8:42 pm:
I wonder why Rezin voted “present?”
- Dr. GreenThumb - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 8:48 pm:
@Hopefull
Care to expand on your comment? How is growing two plants at home today trafficking? You are aware what trafficking is as currently defined by Illinois law?
Growing two plants today is a misdemeanor. It’s now going to be a civil ticket or violation with a fine up to 200 dollars
In fact the cop that spoke in the senate hearing today said they don’t believe the 200 dollar fine is a deterrent.
Trafficking ?
- I'm still keeping Anonymous as my name - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 9:12 pm:
@G’Kar
Sen. Steans mentioned Rep. Welter as one of the House members who worked on this language. Perhaps Rezin didn’t want to vote against her own Rep? Pure speculation.
- Amalia - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 9:19 pm:
Hey Moylan, Laura Murphy voted yes.
- Mittuns - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 9:23 pm:
@Honeybear: this district is a perrenial target and the GOP loses by 10+ every time. Plus, she voted for the tax bill. They’ll beat the drum on that, anyway, regardless of who it actually benefits. This no vote won’t gain her any votes.
- Dr. GreenThumb - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 9:24 pm:
I don’t always agree with Sen. Barickman, but this is a solid quote in my opinion.
Sounds like the government letting adults be adults just like with alcohol.
“I believe that the people of Illinois want our government to give individuals freedom over their life decisions. Cannabis use is largely a personal choice and the primary role of government should be to adopt appropriate safeguards to protect minors and the public when an individual’s use puts others in harm’s way. This legislation puts those safeguards in place.”
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 9:35 pm:
Still predict house dems fumble away the win at the goal line. There are several who have no qualms about abortion issues or fingerprinting gun owners but clutch their pearls at the thought of legalization (and yes, I do think Marty moylan actually wears a pearl necklace that he clutches)
- Hopefull - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 9:43 pm:
@ Dr.G
7 (720 ILCS 550/5) (from Ch. 56 1/2, par. 705)
8 Sec. 5. Except as otherwise provided in the Cannabis
9 Regulation and Tax Act, it It is unlawful for any person
10 knowingly to manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to
11 deliver, or manufacture, cannabis. Any person who violates this
12 Section section with respect to:
13 (a) not more than 2.5 grams of any substance containing
14 cannabis is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor;
15 (b) more than 2.5 grams but not more than 10 grams of any
16 substance containing cannabis is guilty of a Class A
17 misdemeanor;
18 (c) more than 10 grams but not more than 30 grams of any
19 substance containing cannabis is guilty of a Class 4 felony;
20 (d) more than 30 grams but not more than 500 grams of any
21 substance containing cannabis is guilty of a Class 3 felony for
22 which a fine not to exceed $50,000 may be imposed;
23 (e) more than 500 grams but not more than 2,000 grams of
24 any substance containing cannabis is guilty of a Class 2 felony
25 for which a fine not to exceed $100,000 may be imposed;
- OneMan - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 9:45 pm:
Pawnbroker — Stolen Property?
Seriously, is this any way to run a democracy? Can’t we at least have accurate names on bills?
That all being said, I am cool with this passing the Senate.
- Kayak - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 9:57 pm:
This is what compromise looks like. Now if we could legalize fireworks too.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 10:08 pm:
@Hopefull -
Also, if you have kids, DCFS is about to be a part of your life.
Foster care is not out o the question.
- Dr. GreenThumb - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 10:12 pm:
Why are they even lowering the penalty at all for 5 plants and under? Am I missing something?
- LetsLegalizeIt - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 10:13 pm:
@OneMan - they gutted another bill and inserted this one. That is the accurate name, actually. Well, it was accurate through the point when they entered it.
- Been There - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 11:02 pm:
===I’m disappointed in her vote. I would be pleased to see her face a primary challenge for quite a few reasons===
I don’t know the other issues she might find a primary challenger but one that runs on just this issue is not going to happen.
- Blue Dogs are Blind, Deaf, and Dumb - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 11:11 pm:
Home grown pot is not necessary nor helpful. This is going to pass on the merits of proper control, especially from minors, and taxation. Most adults would be glad to pay tax in order to legally enjoy a product they want.
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 11:35 pm:
@Been There
There have been many votes of hers I’m not pleased with. While I don’t expect to always agree 100% with a politician, her margin of victory in the district has been slipping since her first election, and she barely squeaked out a victory in her last election to a republican candidate that could hardly tie their own shoes without help.
The district deserves a better voice. I don’t enjoy saying this but she wins because she is a democrat, not because of any ideas or performance as one.
- Hopefull - Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 11:42 pm:
@ Yellow dog-
Exactly. Most people that are growing in Illinois have no idea how deep the water is. Law enforcement is no joke, they’ll threaten you with your kids and your employer within the first half an hour of knocking down your door.
They’ll speak with all your neighbors. If you’re a gun owner that adds charges whether you’re permitted or not. If you’re within a school zone every penalty doubles.
You could be charged with a class 3 felony for having a little more than an oz of cannabis and a couple of half dead plants. That’s 2-5 years in Il. Yes, it’s true, “Cannabis” refers to the entire weight of the “live” plant(Leaves, stems, rootball and all) under manufacturing penalties.
- truthteller - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 5:39 am:
wouldn’t it be nice that the districts represented by “no votes” would get ZERO tax dollars from pot sales? Somehow voting “NO” should have a cost
- Blue Libertarian - Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 8:29 am:
You are able to brew your own beer at home, but are you unable to distill your whiskey.
I am not surprised but disappointed at all the “small government” republicans who are perfectly fine with people continued to be locked in cages for using a plant.