Being arrested and charged with a crime can be a humiliating and embarrassing thing for any individual to experience. In Illinois, those who are arrested on drug charges can face very steep penalties, including years of incarceration. However, a piece of legislation recently adopted by the Illinois General Assembly could soon make marijuana legal throughout the state and could expunge the records of previous offenders.
The bill is known as the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. According to reports, the legislation will legalize the use, sale and possession of marijuana for recreational purposes for adults over the age of 21. The proposed law also sets tax rates on cannabis transactions and will allow for rapid growth of cannabis retailers.
The new law will permit Illinois residents over 21 years of age to possess up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrate or 30 grams of raw cannabis. Adults over 21 will be allowed to use cannabis on private property, but away from certain prohibited spots and away from minors. Also, the law allows for certain criminal records of those convicted of cannabis use to be automatically expunged, with stipulations of course. If signed by the governor, the law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020.
This new law will definitely help those in Illinois who have been convicted of cannabis-related charges. Any individual who has been arrested for drug charges reserves the right to seek legal representation. An experienced and knowledgeable litigator can determine a strategy designed to achieve the best possible outcome while protecting the rights of the individual.