Traveling to Illinois, or do you live there and still don’t get the laws? We feel your pain, so we searched the web for you and pulled together the cannabis laws for consumers in Illinois.
Please note that laws are consistently changing and although we work hard to keep this information as up to date as possible we suggest checking with the state’s government site as well.
Possession laws in Illinois are dependent on if you are a resident or not:
Adults 21 years of age or older with a valid state-issued ID can purchase marijuana for recreational use in the land of Lincoln. However, some local jurisdictions have banned dispensaries within their city limits.
Purchasing limits in Illinois are similar to the possession limits:
Medical cannabis patients are allowed to purchase higher amounts than the current limits for adult-use marijuana. Only cannabis patients in the authorization database who hold medical marijuana identification cards can purchase products with lower taxes. They must be examined by a physician and must have a qualifying condition to apply.
So, where can you smoke your marijuana, now that you’ve purchased it legally?
The law allows adults to consume marijuana either in their homes or at certain approved establishments. It remains illegal to use it in public – this means that you can’t smoke a joint at schools, in parks, government buildings, on a bus or train, in a car or truck, or near kids. The law prohibits use anywhere you can reasonably expect to be observed by others. Chicago police warned that people can’t smoke on front porches but say they won’t ticket users in their own backyards or on their balconies. Businesses and landlords have the right to refuse its use on their properties. If you don’t own your home, you’re better off running it by your landlord first. You may be able to smoke inside a dispensary depending on the local municipality’s rules – but due to the smoking ban in 2008, public establishments where smoking inside is legal are hard to come by.
Growing your own plant at home is still not a legal option for recreational users. If you are a medical user don’t grow more than 5 plants at a time to be safe.
Driving while impaired by the use of cannabis, or driving with an open container may result in the loss of driving privileges as well as the revocation of the driver’s medical cannabis card.
Bottom line? Avoid smoking and driving to stay on the right side of the law.
Moving cannabis across state lines is illegal and can result in a steep penalty if you’re caught.
It is also illegal to ship or send it in the mail.
Cannabis is still illegal on the federal level so it is always a risk if you decide to fly with it.
You can use your medical card in another state if that state has medical marijuana reciprocity.
As of Jan. 1, 2020, non-residents of Illinois may possess:
Qualifying Conditions:
On August 28, 2018, Public Act 100-1114, the Alternative to Opioids Act of 2018, was signed into law – making changes to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. The Public Act created the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program (OAPP), which allows access to medical cannabis for individuals who have or could receive a prescription for opioids as certified by a physician licensed in Illinois.
Not sure how to get your Medical Marijuana Card? We’ve partnered with Veriheal to bring you a simple and seamless way to see if you qualify and chat with a doctor right from the comfort of your own home.
Looking for more?
Check out Illinois’ government site.
Want to learn more about the cannabis laws in other states? Click here to find out more.