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* The Senate just voted 37-19 to pass HB 218…

(T)he possession of 15 grams or less of cannabis is a civil law violation punishable by a minimum fine of $55 and a maximum fine of $125;

The bill will be held in the chamber until a House “trailer bill” is eventually passed by the Senate.

…Adding… Press release…

The Illinois Senate approved a bill 37-19 Thursday to remove criminal penalties for possession of a small amount of marijuana. The measure, which was approved by the House of Representatives in April, will now be sent to Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) for his signature.

HB 218, introduced in the Senate by Sen. Michael Noland (D-Elgin) and in the House by Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago), makes possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana a civil law violation punishable by a $125 fine. Individuals will no longer face time in jail, and the civil offense will be automatically expunged in order to prevent a permanent criminal record.

“Serious criminal penalties should be reserved for individuals who commit serious crimes,” Rep. Cassidy said. “The possibility of jail time should not even be on the table when it comes to simple marijuana possession. Criminalizing people for marijuana possession is not a good use of our state’s limited law enforcement resources.”

Under current Illinois law, possession of up to 2.5 grams of marijuana is a class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,500; possession of 2.5-10 grams is a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,500; and possession of 10-30 grams is a class 4 felony punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $1,500 fine. More than 100 localities in Illinois have adopted measures that reduce penalties for simple marijuana possession.

“We hope Gov. Rauner will sign this important and broadly supported legislation,” said Chris Lindsey, a legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project. “This is a sensible alternative to Illinois’s needlessly complicated and draconian marijuana possession laws. It’s time to stop destroying people’s lives over possession of a substance that is undeniably less harmful than alcohol.”

Illinois marijuana laws disproportionately impact communities of color, according to reports released by the Institute for Metropolitan Affairs at Roosevelt University in May 2014 and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in June 2013. African Americans in Illinois are 7.6 times more likely to be cited or arrested for marijuana possession than whites, despite using marijuana at a similar rate, according to the ACLU.

“This legislation is long overdue in Illinois,” said Rev. Alexander Sharp, executive director of Clergy for a New Drug Policy. “Simple marijuana possession does not warrant harsh criminal penalties that can turn someone’s life upside down. Laws should protect people, not cause more harm to them than the activity they’re intended to prevent.”

Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have removed the threat of jail time for simple marijuana possession.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 1:45 pm

Comments

what does the trailer bill do or say?

one step closer but what are the odds that it’ll be two steps back when it gets to rauner’s desk?

Comment by Homer J. Quinn Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 1:54 pm
I’m going to find a big bag of Doritos and watch an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 to celebrate.

Comment by Mad Brown Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 1:54 pm
I really appreciated Senator Barickman’s remarks and vote and I even appreciated Senator Oberweis’s remarks and demand for further action.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 1:55 pm
Seems like a very small fine to me. Legalizing possession for a small amount makes sense, but what is the penalty for trying to buy 15 grams?

Comment by The Colossus of Roads Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 2:01 pm
One toke over the line sweet Jesus!

Comment by Just an Old Guy Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 2:02 pm
My mind played reggae music when I read this post. Of course this should be a minor offense tantamount to possession of alcohol.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 2:08 pm
I’ve been watching this bill daily. I’m very glad it passed and hope that the governor will sign it. We do baby steps in Illinois, but we’re movin’ in the right direction.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 2:19 pm
Did Illinois get any fix on charging folks as impaired drivers for traces of marijuana in their blood even though there’s no evidence that they were actually impaired at the time of the accident?

Comment by That Funky Monkey Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 2:20 pm
I’m going with Mad Brown.

Comment by Archiesmom Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 2:26 pm
Good.

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 2:29 pm
that funky monkey, HB218 established a standard for DUI with blood/saliva testing:

“Provides that a person shall not drive or be in actual physical control of any vehicle within this State when the person has, within 2 hours thereof, a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration in the person’s whole blood or other bodily substance of 15 nanograms or more of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per milliliter of whole blood or 25 nanograms or more of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per milliliter of other bodily substance from the unlawful consumption of cannabis (rather than a concentration in any amount).”

Comment by Homer J. Quinn Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 2:32 pm
Not until you pass my turnaround agenda

Comment by Anonymouse Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 2:33 pm
Been a long time comin’. I remember back in my college years in the 1970s when a small amount could get you in the slammer for five years and ruin your life. Too bad it took so long. How many lives has this kind of prohibition ruined?

Comment by Arizona Bob Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 2:34 pm
I can’t think of a more appropriate bill to pass given the current Session.

Comment by Not quite a majority Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 2:41 pm
Cool man.

Comment by A guy Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 2:42 pm
Way to go, AB!

See? I knew we’d agree on something eventually.

lol

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 2:51 pm
I am curious to see how counties impose the sliding fine schedule. For example, will smaller, more conservative counties - many of whom are hurting for cash - keep the fine schedule at or near $125? I would be that to be the case, and I would bet larger counties will try to keep their fines on the lower end of the scale. Just a guess.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 2:51 pm
==Rich Miller - Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 2:51 pm:

Way to go, AB!

See? I knew we’d agree on something eventually.

lol===

Perhaps the two of you can celebrate this in a special way. I’ll send you some White Castles w/cheese for afterwards. lol

Comment by A guy Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 3:19 pm
===Perhaps the two of you can celebrate this in a special way===

Not until Bruce signs it.

lol

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 3:20 pm
And how long before legalization??

Comment by D.P.Gumby Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 3:25 pm
Hard to believe-that fine is lower than a speeding ticket, which I believe now starts at $125. Will be interesting to see what Rauner does….

Comment by downstate commissioner Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 3:29 pm
No expiration on the “Sliders with Brakes” offer sir.

Comment by A guy Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 3:31 pm
Good.

Comment by phocion Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 3:34 pm
here’s what is frustrating….quality of product. I’m happy that it is being decriminalized, as it should be. but legalizing it would be so much easier and better and….bakery products! I don’t have the fondest memories of the brownies I produced. any hints?

Comment by Amalia Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 3:34 pm
Amalia: try googling “badkittysmiles recipes.”

Comment by Homer J. Quinn Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 3:44 pm
What does 15 grams amount to? How many ‘cigarettes’ would that make?

Comment by Federalist Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 3:57 pm
it’s just over half an ounce; how many servings that is depends on the individual.

Comment by Homer J. Quinn Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 4:02 pm
15 grams wouldn’t have been much use back in glory days of “5 finger bags”, but from what I can tell the market for individual users now is all quarter and half ounce quantities. I think this is an excellent idea so long as we don’t tolerate impaired driving.

I’ve reached the age where I have to keep brain cells alive, so no direct effect here…

Comment by Ken_in_Aurora Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 4:18 pm
Thus begins the decline of Western Civilization part 3. Wack Wack Wack! That’s my skull! I’m so wasted! - Spicoli

Comment by Dudeman Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 4:37 pm
=== What does 15 grams amount to? How many ‘cigarettes’ would that make? ===

A lot.

Comment by Just Observing Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 4:43 pm
Kudos to the legislators that voted for this; shame on those that didn’t. Rauner: please sign!

Comment by Just Observing Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 4:44 pm
A good step, if signed.

There’s a bipartisan push to get weed off of Schedule I at the federal level as well to facilitate the growing legal commerce (paying attention, GA — commerce, like making money?).

Also, a bipartisan band of federal lawmakers finally got Obama’s attention to push the loony reefer-madness DEA chief out the door.

Hopefully, the un-American “civil forfeiture” terror for weed will end as well.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 5:09 pm
I was going to post…but then I got high.

Comment by Anon Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 5:30 pm
for the non-smokers, 15 grams is just over 1/2 ounce, 28 grams to an ounce. if i was to guess I would equate 15 grams to having maybe 3-4 cases of beer in your fridge and you drank regularly on weekends. maybe 8-10 bottles of wine, or 2-3 bottles of bourbon. that would compare in a general sense to someone who smokes regularly on weekends.

now for someone who smokes pretty much daily, maybe only 1-2 cases of beer, or 3-4 bottles of wine.

Comment by PoolGuy Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 5:34 pm
and regular beer, not light beer lol

Comment by PoolGuy Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 5:36 pm
Thanks HJQuinn!

Comment by Amalia Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 6:09 pm
It’s hard to imagine a piece of legislation that will affect my life less than this one.

Comment by Confused Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 6:29 pm
Confused: did you have a lot riding on whether sweet corn should be our state vegetable?

Comment by Homer J. Quinn Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 6:53 pm
From an avid user, hallelujah! On to legalization and taxation; trust me folks it’s less harmful than alcohol.

Comment by Ugly Rumours Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 7:29 pm
Driving about .05 BAC below the.08 BAC impairment?where’s the traffic mayhem in Colorado?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 7:39 pm
Eventually marijuana will be legalized everywhere. Just a matter of time. Interesting when you read about different drugs being made illegal, how much racism was involved in the decisions.

This is my two cents: The war on drugs has resulted in giving government more power, entrapping parts of our society in perpetual poverty and making the well connected richer. Legalize, tax and treat like alcohol and cigarettes. The problems of addiction will not go away, and may even grow at first before the novelty wears off, so add tax to facilitate treatment for the ill effects.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 8:11 pm
i doubt there will be problems with cannabis addiction. it’s less addictive than coffee, at about 9% of users becoming dependent. withdrawal, if any, is a day or two of irritability. this isn’t a drug that ruins lives; it’s not alcohol.

post-legalization it’ll be like this: if cannabis improves your life in some way, you’ll use it. if it doesn’t you won’t, and nobody will care either way. i don’t know why there has to be so much hand-wringing to get to that point.

Comment by Homer J. Quinn Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 8:55 pm
If only it was HB 420….

Comment by Slick Willy Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 9:21 pm
Does this mean that “Hash Wednesday” will be returning to the U of I quad next year?LOL

Comment by Arizona Bob Thursday, May 21, 15 @ 10:38 pm