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* AP…
Gov. Bruce Rauner is working with the Illinois State Police on how to handle a proposal to make marijuana possession in small amounts punishable only with fines under a bill he appears poised to sign.
The legislation, which also sets a standard for what’s considered too high to drive, includes stronger provisions the Republican governor suggested to lawmakers last year as a condition for signing off on removing jail time for having 10 grams or less of pot. A chief sponsor of this year’s bill, Sen. Heather Steans, a Chicago Democrat, said the Rauner administration has assured her he will sign the bill but is waiting until next month to give law enforcement time to prepare for its implementation.
The bill comes as many states reconsider whether jail is the most appropriate punishment for petty pot offenses. If signed, Illinois would be the 17th state – and third largest – to treat possession of marijuana in small amounts as a civil offense rather than a criminal one, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, which tracks legislation on the topic nationally. New York and California are among the states that have made the change.
Rauner has indicated support for reducing penalties for marijuana offenses, but his spokeswoman said in a statement he’s still reviewing the bill.
He received the bill on June 16th and has 60 days to take action.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 25, 16 @ 10:33 am
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Oh for goodness sake, is this still an issue in 2016? Sign the damn bill, Governor.
Comment by Just Observing Monday, Jul 25, 16 @ 10:36 am
I have read that the bill would reduce penalties for those with under 10 grams.
Is this true/ And how much in practical terms would this constitute- say in todays cigarette size?
Comment by Federalist Monday, Jul 25, 16 @ 10:55 am
10 grams would equal 10 “larger” joints, most people roll ~.75 grams in joint. An average cigarette has more tobacco than the average joint. NY Times had three numbers .66 .43 and .32 http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/15/science/how-much-weed-is-in-a-joint-pot-experts-have-a-new-estimate.html?_r=0 “The new study, an analysis of federal drug arrest data published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, found the average amount of weed in a joint to be much smaller than those estimates: just 0.32 grams.”
Comment by frisbee Monday, Jul 25, 16 @ 11:00 am
One ounce is 28 grams. Only scientists and drug users have adopted the metric system.
Comment by XDNRLE Monday, Jul 25, 16 @ 11:01 am
@frisbee,
Thanks.
Comment by Federalist Monday, Jul 25, 16 @ 11:05 am
Or we could pay our pensions, and let adults make choices on non-toxic substances, by just legalizing and (gosh!) selling something people want and use regulary.
But I guess that wouldn’t jive with the whole “land of the free, home of the brave” thing.
Comment by jerry in chicago Monday, Jul 25, 16 @ 11:08 am
“Gov. Bruce Rauner is working with the Illinois State Police…”
Why is it that the elected governor signing a bill passed by both elected houses has to kowtow with the State Police about the laws passed by we the people? Asking police agencies whether they like or support laws “decriminalizing” marijuana or anything else is part of the problem with attempting to whittle down the size of the police/prison pipeline.
The bill is a fraud anyway. The person found in possession of the smaller decriminalized quantity of pot is still entered into a law enforcement database, which is then removed one year later. So every cop in the state will know they can take a crack at searching you or your car the next time you get a traffic ticket. Ridiculous. No big victory here.
Comment by Payback Monday, Jul 25, 16 @ 11:28 am
I have a feeling Rauner will let this bill go into effect at the end of 60 days without his signature.
Comment by Mama Monday, Jul 25, 16 @ 1:48 pm
I say legalize it, regulate it, tax it and be done with it. It’s completely asinine to make a plant illegal.
Comment by South Illinoisian Monday, Jul 25, 16 @ 4:05 pm