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* Illinois Public Media News interviewed Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) about her work on a new legislative draft to legalize marijuana in Illinois. The whole thing is worth a read, but here’s one excerpt…
Steans: We see this as a three-piece process. One of them is the expungement, and two is inclusion and enabling people of color with backgrounds to be included in the industry now going forward.
We also want to ensure that anybody who is in the business has to have plans to do minority hiring. To the extent that we can do it, we want to encourage preference for minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned [cannabis businesses].
Then we also want to create new classes of licenses. You know right now we just have cultivation and dispensary [for medical marijuana], limited opportunities for people to get involved in the industry. We want to add additional license categories so that there’s more opportunities for people of color to get involved, and women and veterans.
And then the third piece is we think some of the revenue [from marijuana taxes] should be going toward neighborhoods that have been disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs.
* Opening up opportunities is important because, as Tom Schuba reports, some real heavy-hitters are circling above…
Cannabis is becoming big business in Illinois, with some local pot companies emerging as national leaders after inking record-setting deals and starting to trade publicly in Canada, where marijuana was recently legalized. […]
The River North-based pot firm now has operations in six states, with plans to expand to New York and Massachusetts. In October, Cresco began trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange after carrying out a reverse takeover of an existing company. The public offering comes on the heels of a $100 million private funding round, the second-largest for an American pot company. […]
Almost two decades later, Kovler started Green Thumb Industries. Headquartered in River North, the rapidly-expanding cannabis company now has eight manufacturing facilities and 60 dispensaries spread across eight states. Earlier this year, GTI raised $67 million after the company was listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange. According to Kovler, the company’s growth has happened “one step at a time.” […]
Teddy Scott recently brokered the largest acquisition in the history of the marijuana industry, selling Oak Park-based PharmaCann to touted California pot brand MedMen for $682 million in October.
* And here’s something that could be wrapped up by early January…
Under the bill promoted up by Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford on Friday, a petitioner could ask a circuit judge to expunge the record of a conviction or plea of guilty for an offense from before July 29, 2016, if three years or more have passed since the petitioner has completed their sentence.
“As the conversation about legalizing recreational marijuana continues to gain traction, it would be irresponsible of legislators to overlook the damage over-criminalization has caused,” Lightford, D-Maywood, said. “This measure is about helping nonviolent offenders rehabilitate and have a better chance of getting a job.”
Lightford will have to get the bill through the Senate and get it to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk next month, or the process will have to start anew in the 101st General Assembly.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, who initially sponsored the bill, said that expunging the low-level conviction would allow people to once again tell prospective employers that they’ve got a clean record. […]
According to a 2013 report from the American Civil Liberties Union, African-Americans in Illinois are more than 7 times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession. […]
The city of San Francisco is in the process of clearing all marijuana convictions there dating back to 1975, a move that could result in the clearing of an estimated 3,000 misdemeanors and the possible reduction of an estimated 5,000 felonies to lower charges.
* Daily Herald…
McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally has asked state representatives to vote against legalizing marijuana in Illinois, if and when the time comes. […]
“It is disheartening to see legislators willing to unleash recreational cannabis with all the driving force of capitalism before the health and social consequences are fully understood,” Kenneally wrote. “It is far better to wait for the ongoing experiments in Colorado, Washington, Michigan and Canada to reach fully mature and conclusive results over the next several years.”
The state’s attorney said he’s not opposed to decriminalizing the possession of larger amounts of marijuana, but he claims legalizing it entirely would open the door for cartels and black market dealers to move in and take advantage of Illinois’ “exorbitant” taxes.
Skillicorn, R-Crystal Lake, is a sponsor on a bill seeking to legalize marijuana in Illinois. As it’s written now, the bill would not allow for additional taxes to be tacked onto marijuana sales. The cautionary measure should be enough to stave off potential black market dealers, Skillicorn said.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 2:55 pm
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Why does the Lightford bill require someone to go to court to expunge a conviction? Can they not make it automatic? It seems like another burden for low-income people that don’t have the time or resources to go through the process.
Comment by I11inois Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 3:05 pm
Money to neighborhoods disproportionately affected by the war on drugs. tax dollars are paid in high amounts by many to deal with policing and prosecution activities. that has an impact too.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 3:06 pm
There needs to be a tier system similar to alcohol distribution here in Illinois.
If you want small business to have a chance you cannot just open this up with out a check and balance on the industry.
Comment by Dupage Bard Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 3:12 pm
=“It is disheartening to see legislators willing to unleash recreational cannabis with all the driving force of capitalism before the health and social consequences are fully understood,” Kenneally wrote. “It is far better to wait for the ongoing experiments in Colorado, Washington, Michigan and Canada to reach fully mature and conclusive results over the next several years.”
Oh please. How many decades has it taken us to realize that criminalization of weed doesn’t work. The states cited by Kenneally didn’t legalize pot as an “experiment.” They recognized the realities of the failed experiment.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 3:13 pm
“before the health and social consequences are fully understood”
Marijuana could be widespread in society for over 100 trillion years and we’ll still have legalization opponents saying this. Marijuana has been around a long time. We have a pretty good idea about its consequences.
Criminalization and its consequences is a primary reason why marijuana should be legalized and criminal records expunged, from prohibition’s racist roots to the disproportional legal damage caused to minorities.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 3:13 pm
I like what I’m hearing from Steans and Lightford.
I want to hear Pritzker step up and say the little guy will have a fair shot in this new industry.
Despite what the nonsensical partisan propaganda you’ve heard the last four years or so, the governor of Illinois is the most powerful public office in the state, by far.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 3:19 pm
“I11inois”
I agree with you completely. Make it compulsory.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 3:28 pm
We need small mom and pop dispensaries. Lets let the little guy a shot.
Comment by Generic Drone Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 3:29 pm
–“It is disheartening to see legislators willing to unleash recreational cannabis with all the driving force of capitalism before the health and social consequences are fully understood,” Kenneally wrote.–
It’s astounding to see a state’s attorney make such a screwball statement.
I suspect Kenneally deals every day with the health and social consequences of legal alcohol, legal and illegal opiods and illegal marijuana controlled by the driving force of gangster capitalists.
He really hasn’t figured it out yet?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 3:30 pm
Word, click the link. He goes further:”Kenneally fears legalizing the drug for recreational use would lead to more violent crime in McHenry County”
And check out this direct contradiction: “Although Kenneally is not opposed to decriminalizing larger amounts of marijuana, legalizing it entirely would handcuff law enforcement and prosecutors when it comes to tetrahydrocannabinol-involved driving under the influence cases, he said.”
Illinois has decriminalized possession up to 10 grams. That’s about a third of an ounce. That’s not a small amount, IIRC. So, decriminalizing more wouldn’t have any impact at all on driving? I don’t get it.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 3:34 pm
I guess Patrick Kenneally forgot that 1) JB Pritzker actively ran on cannabis legalization; it is going to happen 2) 66% of our state have a different opinion from him and want cannabis legalization 3) He has no authority to set cannabis policy in our state.
Comment by Illinois Resident Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 3:48 pm
The Lightford bill might need some extra language to protect those with expungements; maybe prohibit asking if you’ve ever been arrested or other cute ways around Ban the Box rules.
Comment by Shark Sandwich Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 3:48 pm
I kinda ambivalent about expunging people’s records. Whether or not the law was good, these people knew it was illegal and decided they didn’t care. Letting them out of jail is humane and necessary, but expunging a record, pretending they didn’t choose to break the law? I don’t hate it but it seems questionable, to me.
Comment by Perrid Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 3:49 pm
=legalizing it entirely would handcuff law enforcement and prosecutors when it comes to tetrahydrocannabinol-involved driving under the influence cases, he said.”=
That’s utter nonsense. Alcohol is legal, and I sure don’t see where that has “handcuffed law enforcement and prosecutors” when it comes to alcohol-involved DUIs.
There are plenty of drugs that can be legally prescribed, but if they impair your ability to drive, you can be charged with DUI.
Kenneally should know that.
Comment by JoanP Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 3:57 pm
Although the “mom & pop” idea is enticing, short of growing your own, marijuana cultivation isn’t as simple as throwing some seeds in some dirt, large amounts of capital are required to get an operation going. You need a indoor growing space, security systems, staff, testing equipment, and everything else need to grow and care for a living organism. Sure there are going to be firms with a minority, female, or veteran listed on the application, but the financial backing is still going to come from rich white folks with banks still being skittish on financing a still federally illegal substance.
Even if some niche licensing opportunities exist, any potential profit is likely going to be eaten up by regulatory hurdles a small operator won’t be able to overcome with out some substantial outside financial backing. Unless the GA is looking at co-ops or other arrangements, it’s likely the industry is going to be dominated by the established medical marijuana producers.
Comment by Reserved Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 4:03 pm
Perrid - We are talking about cannabis here. There are tons of other substances that are legal and way more harmful / problematic. I don’t see why you have an issue with expunging records for an unjust law that is being reversed. These people have already paid enough.
Comment by Illinois Resident Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 4:10 pm
I worked as a door guard in a dorm at NIU and security at concerts, I had multiple situations where I thought I would have to get physical with a drunk. Never even came close to that concern with guys who were toked up.
Comment by OneMan Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 4:18 pm
“It is disheartening to see legislators willing to unleash recreational cannabis with all the driving force of capitalism”
Where is this concern over the sale of high-capacity clips and military-style assault guns? We’re getting injured and killed so frequently in mass shootings. The public strongly backs gun reform like universal background checks, and a major SCOTUS ruling allows reform, but some or many politicians who will pass no gun reform are the ones who won’t allow responsible adults to legally buy weed. That burns my bottom and hope it ends with legalization passing next year.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 4:29 pm
My preference is for a system where ownership of marijuana is retained by the State until the final sale to a consumer. This uses state sovereignty to shelter the activities from federal law.
Use of contract farming and contracted processing and distribution limits the effect of “unbridled capitalism “. We do not want to create another group like the racetrack or casino owners, who naturally put their interests ahead of the public good.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 4:51 pm
“Kenneally fears legalizing the drug for recreational use would lead to more violent crime”
If true, Kenneally is a coward, a fool or both.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 4:54 pm
==If true, Kenneally is a coward, a fool or both.==
Or will be fearing losing the money from civil seizures stemming from cannabis arrests. Or, if he is being cagey, trying to get some of the tax revenue directed to state’s attorney offices.
Comment by Reserved Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 5:01 pm
Keanally has not read DEA Judge Francis Young’s 1988 decision to reschedule Cannabis. He is uninformed, and misinformed.
Comment by Al Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 5:03 pm
==we want to encourage preference for minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned==
This sounds similar to the plan where my friends and relatives in the trades incorporate under their stay-at-home wive’s names.
Comment by City Zen Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 5:07 pm
The race now is to see which state will be the last to legalize and to realize the benefits everyone else is enjoying.
Comment by striketoo Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 5:20 pm
–Or will be fearing losing the money from civil seizures stemming from cannabis arrests.–
Reserved, now that makes a lot of sense — bad faith and nonsense from the state’s attorney, in service of legal (for now) theft by the government.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 5:23 pm
I understand the desire for small business and a diverse base of owners as a key component of legalization. That may very well increase the time required to actually implement. I’m not saying it isn’t worth it, just that it’s likely to result in a delay.
Comment by SSL Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 6:38 pm
Regarding sealing and expunging criminal records. Illinois has greatly increased the list of offenses wherein this relief is available and has also provided easy to use forms at every courthouse for those who wish to seal or expunge their criminal records.
I think low to mid level cannabis possession convictions are already expungable in Illinois.
More people need to take advantage of this.
Comment by S of I-70 Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 8:14 pm
Oops. I meant sealed, not expunged. Expunged is actual destruction of the court file. Sealing keeps the general public from access to the file.
Many types of convictions may be sealed. Cases dismissed, court supervision’s, and many first offender probations successfully completed may be expunged.
Found a good State website on this via a Google search.
Comment by S of I-70 Monday, Dec 10, 18 @ 8:45 pm
fear for the drug warriors mentality, when they realize their behave was wrong
Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 2:30 am
It’s least dangerous in it’s simplest state: let folks grow their own.
It’s as American as apple pie.
Comment by 33rd Ward Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 6:40 am
I have a simple question. How many lawsuits have been filed against companies for the pilot program? Remember, the pilot program was supposed to guide us and show us any unknown problems. Yet, we are ignoring the now known problems and loop holes.
The media can’t disparage people about their alleged facts when they are knowingly ignoring facts available via FOIA and court records.
Comment by the Patriot Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 8:57 am
Presumably Kenneally: We have to address the scourge of illegal drugs in our communities, their sale is empowering folks like the cartel.
Also Kenneally: If we legalize this drug it’s sale will be empowering folks like the cartel.
Sure dude, I guess. /s
Comment by Stark Tuesday, Dec 11, 18 @ 9:29 am
I suspect Kenneally deals every day with the health and social consequences of legal alcohol, legal and illegal opiods and illegal marijuana controlled by the driving force of gangster capitalists. I think low to mid level cannabis possession convictions are already expungable in Illinois.
Comment by kevin Friday, Dec 14, 18 @ 5:59 am