Gov. Pritzker signs recreational marijuana bill

Posted on June 25, 2019

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Lawmakers were high on life as they celebrated the signing of the bill legalizing recreational marijuana Tuesday in Chicago.

In addition to the expected tax revenue, the new law is supposed to do many other things. Sponsoring State Sen. Heather Steans said, “While Illinois has been looked at as a model for how well-regulated our medical cannabis program is, we don’t see much diversity in the cannabis industry. We have taken a lot of measures to try to ensure that we do put in place an industry that is reflective of the state of Illinois and tools to make sure we get there.”

Gov. JB Pritzker says he loves the financial ramifications.

“This new law follows through on our strong commitment to equity by directing 25 percent of the revenue to restore, reinvest, and renew grant programs to help communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs,” said Pritzker.

Twenty percent will help substance abuse treatment and prevention and mental health care, and the rest is to help balance the budget, pay down the bill backlog, and support public education and law enforcement.

Illinois is the eleventh state to legalize recreational pot. Notable is the fact that Illinois’ law was passed by the legislature, not by voter referendum.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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