|
 “The safety of Illinois citizens, and the motoring public, will always
remain the utmost priority of the Illinois State Police (ISP). ISP
officers will continue to enforce the law, while being mindful of the
penalty changes for smaller amounts of cannabis,” said ISP Director Leo
P. Schmitz. “The public is reminded that cannabis possession without a
medical marijuana card is still illegal; the penalty and fines have
changed. In addition, drivers under the influence of cannabis will still
be arrested and prosecuted.”
The new law changes the penalty for the possession of 10.0 grams or less
of cannabis to a civil law violation, carrying a minimum fine of $100,
and a maximum fine of $200. Persons found in possession of not more than
10.0 grams of cannabis can be issued a citation and be required to
appear in court for the violation. ISP officers will no longer be
required to fingerprint, photograph, and either collect bond or
transport defendants to jail. Confiscated cannabis and drug
paraphernalia will be seized and placed into evidence. Following the
adjudication of the citation in court, seized cannabis and paraphernalia
will be destroyed, and the charge against the defendant will be expunged
on or before the following July 1st or January 1st.
[to top of second column] |
Local ordinances regarding fines for the possession of cannabis and related drug
paraphernalia are not impacted.
All of the changes made by SB2228 can be found at:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2228&GAID=13&GA=99&DocTypeID
=SB&LegID=93232&SessionID=88
[ISP Public Information Office]
 |
