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House Bill 3085 was approved on a 10-8 vote Tuesday morning in
the House Criminal Judiciary Committee.
The bill’s language removes all criminal penalties for
possession of any amount of cannabis and automatically expunges
any criminal record for someone convicted of a similar offense.
“It’s been a burden on brown and Black families for over 50
years, this artificial war perpetrated on our community for the
benefit of others,” said state Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago.
Flowers pointed out that there are no limits on how much a
recreational cannabis dispensary can sell, making their owners,
all white in Illinois, millions in profits. Consumers have
limits on how much they can buy and possess at one time.
Under existing law, possession of less than 30 grams of cannabis
flower is legal, but there are still penalties for people who
are caught with more than that amount.
Federal law still considers cannabis a Schedule I narcotic.
Illinois Sheriffs Association Director Jim Kaitschuk warned the
bill would not only cause confusion over the automatic
expungement of anyone currently incarcerated under a cannabis
conviction, but would also allow them to legally carry a
firearm.
“This is still a federal disqualification for the FOID program,”
he told the committee. “This automatic expungement for felonies
would no longer be a firearm prohibition.”
The bill passed without Republican support. A couple of
Democrats either voted against the measure or abstained from
voting. Some who did had concerns.
“I have severe reservations about this one,” said Rep. Dave
Vella, D-Loves Park.
Flowers said she would hold the bill in order to make some
changes, but didn’t specify what they would be. It now heads to
the House floor before being sent to the Senate for
consideration.
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