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Illinois marijuana laws have taken a liberal turn in recent years. For some time, medical consumers enjoyed unshared rights to marijuana use. In 2019, the legal framework took an interesting shift to accommodate recreational users.
The journey that led to this historic moment was nothing short of tumultuous. Massive advocacy and lobbying came into play to influence legislators in this direction.
Despite the progressive nature of the current laws, there are still noteworthy limitations. Read on to discover the Illinois cannabis laws and the applicable restrictions.
History of cannabis legalization in Illinois
The legal history of marijuana in Illinois dates back to almost a century ago. In 1931, The Prairie State became one of the first US states to ban recreational marijuana. This interesting development was before the national ban in 1937.
Illinois policy makers passed the Cannabis Control Act of 1978. This legislation authorized the State Police and the Department of Human Services to regulate medical cannabis.
The Land of Lincoln’s first successful attempt at legalizing weed was in 2013. Illinois became the 20th state in the US to legalize medical marijuana. Sales of medical marijuana would not commence until 2015.
In 2019, Illinois witnessed the most significant moment in its legal marijuana history. It became the 11th state in the country to legalize cannabis for recreational use. Recreational sales officially began on the 1st of January 2020.
What are the marijuana laws in Illinois?
Weed laws in Illinois come in two distinct forms. There are laws for recreational weed and another set for medical consumption.
The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act regulates medical cannabis use. This Act’s pilot program was signed into law on the 1st of August 2013. Becoming effective in January 2014, it established the Medical Cannabis Registry Program.
Under the program, you need a medical cannabis card for eligibility. The qualifying conditions for cardholders are:
- Be 18 or older.
- Be a resident of Illinois.
- Be diagnosed with one of the qualifying ailments.
- Obtain approval from a medical practitioner.
- Not be a holder of a commercial driver’s license or a school bus permit.
- Not be an active-duty firefighter or law enforcement officer.
Caregivers may also obtain a medical card under the cannabis laws in Illinois. For this to happen, they must present a recommendation from a second physician.
The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act of 2019 regulates recreational cannabis in Illinois. Starting from the 1st of January, 2020, consumption, sale, and possession became legal.
Under the law, there are different limits for residents and non-residents. The provisions of this act apply only to adults age 21 or older. You don’t need a card to buy recreational weed in The Prairie State.
Is weed legal in Illinois?
Pot is legal in Illinois, thanks to the 2013 and 2019 legal reforms. You can now consume weed for recreational and medical purposes.
Possession
In Illinois, both residents and non-residents can possess recreational marijuana. To be eligible, you must be aged 21 or older. The provisions are more relaxed towards residents than nonresidents. For medical consumers, the minimum age requirement is 18 years.
It’s unlawful to transport marijuana bought in Illinois to another state. This is because the substance remains illegal at the federal level.
Consumption
Under the Medical Cannabis Registry Program, adults over age 18 can consume cannabis. Recreational users can also consume cannabis if they’re 21 or older.
It’s illegal to consume cannabis in public areas. These include parks, streets, and places beside licensed dispensaries. The government licenses the operations of certain on-site consumption establishments.
You can consume weed on private property but with the owner’s consent. Consumption in a vehicle (moving or otherwise) is unlawful. It’s also not permitted to drive under the influence of weed. You can only buy weed between the hours of 6 am and 10 pm.
Growing
It’s not legal to grow weed for recreational use under IL weed laws.
Participants of the statewide medical program can grow weed. They can cultivate different CBD and THC seeds of medical weed in private. This only applies to medical users aged 21 or older.
Restrictions and limits
It’s vital to understand the limits and restrictions on cannabis use in Illinois. This way, you can measure your actions and avoid the wrath of the law.
How many grams of weed can I possess in Illinois?
For residents, the legal limitations for recreational possession are as follows:
- 30 grams of marijuana flower
- 5 grams of marijuana concentrate
- A marijuana-infused product with a maximum of 500 milligrams of THC
For non-resident recreational users, this is how much weed is legal in Illinois:
- 15 grams of marijuana flower
- 2.5 grams of marijuana concentrate
- A marijuana-infused product with a maximum of 250 milligrams of THC
Patients under the medical program can buy 2.5 ounces (71 grams) of marijuana per 14-day period. They can own more than 30 grams of medical weed under specific conditions.
Can I grow cannabis in Illinois?
The liberty to grow a cannabis plant in Illinois is reserved for medical users.
Medical patients of age 21 or older may grow up to five mature plants at home. Before you buy cannabis seeds in Illinois with the intent to plant, ensure you’re registered under the Medical Cannabis Registry Program.
Is recreational marijuana legal in Illinois?
As of the 1st of January 2020, recreational weed in Illinois is legal. You can buy and possess recreational weed in all IL cities, including Chicago.
Where can I buy cannabis seeds legally in Illinois?
It’s vital to buy your cannabis products from legal sources in Illinois. Medical users, in particular, need to buy their THC and CBD seeds from the right store.
Seed Supreme is the go-to destination for quality marijuana seeds. Our seed bank has different strains of medical marijuana with outstanding genetics. Make your order and cultivate according to Illinois marijuana laws.
You can buy from our online store using different payment methods. We guarantee discreet and fast shipping across various destinations in the USA.
Key takeaways
It’s a great delight that weed is legal in Illinois. Recreational and medical users can now enjoy the perks of relaxed weed laws.
A valid ID card is the only requirement to make purchases for recreational use. Out-of-state users can’t buy or own medical cannabis in Illinois. The privileges of the medical program are exclusive to residents.
Every Illinois weed law, whether for medical or recreational use, mandates you to buy only from state-licensed dispensaries.
Medical consumers need a medical marijuana card to buy and possess marijuana. The card is only available to residents. This means out-of-state individuals can’t possess marijuana for medical use in Illinois.
At-home cultivation is also legal for medical users. Buy the best seeds of medical marijuana from Seed Supreme and grow first-grade plants.
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about legal weed in Illinois below.
Can you get pulled over for weed in Illinois?
You can get pulled over for weed in Illinois if you possess more than the allowed limits. An arrest is also possible if you transport weed without sealing it.
Can I smoke in my parked car in Illinois?
It’s illegal to smoke weed in a parked car in Illinois.
