Ok, I believe I understand how the Illinois medical plan will work when its up and running. I have not gone to a doctor yet but am 99% sure I can get a medical license for my seizures. I will probably not do this if two of the three new laws go into effect.
Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, sponsors House Bill 5708, which would make possession of up to 30 grams of marijuana a “regulatory offense” punishable by a fine of up to $100. Current law makes possession of as little as 2.5 grams of marijuana a class C misdemeanor, which is a criminal offense punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine. Cassidy’s bill also allows such offenses to be expunged from a person’s record.
The second bill, sponsored by Rep. Christian Mitchell, D-Chicago, is similar to Cassidy’s bill, but it also lowers the penalties for possessing marijuana plants. Currently, possessing up to four marijuana plants is a class A misdemeanor, but Mitchell’s bill, House Bill 4299, would make it a petty offense with a fine of up to $100. Possessing between five and 20 plants would become a class A misdemeanor under Mitchell’s bill, instead of the current class 4 felony.
Rep. Michael Zalewski, D-Chicago, sponsors a third bill, decreasing the penalties for marijuana possessions. Although House Bill 4091 would result in a ticket for marijuana possession, the bill would still consider possession of marijuana a criminal offense instead of a petty offense. Additionally, possessing a large amount of marijuana near a school would become a class X felony under Zalewski’s bill, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of $200,000.
I hope the first two pass for sure as I won't probably be able to afford paying out of pocket for their medicine but won't mind growing my own if I don't have to worry about jail time but we will see.
