Illinois Cannabis Legalization Update

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWOYhqoV1V8

Illinois is one of the fastest moving cannabis legalization states in the country. So a lawyer from Peoria Illinois offers this video and blog post rundown. This post is going to cover its big three. Adult use, hemp & medical marijuana.

Illinois Cannabis Update – Medical Marijuana

Since it passage in 2015, Illinois has steadily grown its medical marijuana program.  There are only 58,000 medical card holders in the state, but that number may soon explode because of…

Opioid Alternative Pilot Program (OAPP)

The OAPP could expand medical marijuana in Illinois more than anything since the addition of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) back in 2016.

Now when a patient in Illinois is given an opioid prescription for his or her pain, the doctor and patient can discuss medical marijuana as an alternative to the opioids.

Millions of people in Illinois a new option for pain management.  Here are the things you need to know about it.

• talk to your doctor about pain
• have your doctor certify you online
• register your account online
• pay the $10 fee and get your passport photo
• have 90 days of cannabis
• renew your card every 90 days if needed ($10) fee
• 2.5 ounces per 14 days limit for medical cannabis

Did you notice the 90 day limit?

Unlike most other cannabis cards in Illinois, the OAPP cards only last for 90 days instead of at least one year. So more interaction with the patient’s doctor is required.

Moving on, Hemp is on the grow in Illinois.

Industrial Hemp Legalization in Illinois

The Illinois hemp law has not only been passed, but also the regulations have been published, which means that it is the ready for its first growing season.

Illinois’ Industrial Hemp Act goes into effect for the 2019 crop year. While the early adopters may reap some of the benefits, over the years hemp could become a common sight along corn and soybeans in the farmland of the state.

The regulations include the following rules:

1. No person may grow hemp without a license
2. No person may handle hemp without a license
3. All seeds, clones and transplants must be certified under AOSCA.
4. minimum space of one-quarter acre for outdoor and 500 sq.ft. for indoor growing
5. A completed application must be submitted to the state BEFORE growing

Recently, the state of Illinois also released its application requirements for hemp – they are as follows:

1. 1. The name and address of the applicant
   2. The type of business or organization, such as corporation, LLC,
      partnership, sole proprietor, etc.;
   3. Business name and address, if different than the ones submitted in
      response to subsection (a)(1);
   4. The legal description of the land area, including Global Positioning
      System coordinates, to be used to cultivate industrial hemp;
   5. A map of the land area on which the applicant plans to grow industrial
      hemp, showing the boundaries and dimensions of the growing area in
      acres or square feet;
   6.  Documentation to prove the land area is a farm as defined in Section 1-60
      of the Property Tax Code; and
   7. The applicable fee of$1,000.

If your cannabusiness needs help with their Industrial Hemp License, please call our cannabis lawyers at (309) 740-4033.

Adult Use Marijuana Legalization in Illinois

Pending filing of the bills by Cassidy & Steans.

Last updated: March 11, 2019.

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Thomas Howard has been researching and serving the cannabis industry since 2010.  He published a book on the orgins and legality of the cannabis laws.  Has assisted many people and businesses with compliance or operational matters regarding the marijuana laws. And takes pride in being a part of changing history to reflect better laws and regulations when it comes to cannabis. Call him today for help on doing your part to make legalization of cannabis one of the next achievements in social and economic justice for the 21st century.