SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker delivered on a top campaign promise Tuesday by signing legislation making the state the 11th to approve marijuana for recreational use.
Legalization in Illinois also means that nearly 800,000 people with criminal records for purchasing or possessing 30 grams of marijuana or less may have those records expunged, a provision minority lawmakers and interest groups demanded.
The new law also gives cannabis-vendor preference to minority owners and promises 25% of tax revenue from marijuana sales to redevelop impoverished communities.
Residents may purchase and possess up to 30 grams or 1 ounce of marijuana at a time. Non-residents may have 15 grams.
You will have to be over 21 years old to buy and you can only purchase from approved dispensaries.
Sales are set to start January 1st 2020.
Possession remains a crime until then.