Back in the U.S., Illinois has become the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana, after Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a bill Tuesday allowing for the possession and purchase of small amounts of the drug. The legislation will pardon anyone with a nonviolent marijuana conviction under 30 grams. Individuals can petition the court to vacate convictions that exceed 30 grams. Nearly 800,000 marijuana-related cases could be expunged thanks to the new law. The bill also sets up a program to invest in communities most affected by the war on drugs. Illinois is the first state to both legalize marijuana and set up a marketplace through the state Legislature. The law will go into effect on the first day of 2020.
Illinois Legalizes Marijuana, Paving Way for Expungement of Nearly 800,000 Cases
HeadlineJun 26, 2019