Illinois has both recreational cannabis (sales began January 1, 2020), and medical cannabis.
Whether a state has medical or recreational cannabis use and sale allowed is important to any current or prospective cannabis business owner because the status of the cannabis regulations largely impacts the business's consumer base. Recreational cannabis being allowed in Illinois is significant because the state has a large population which makes for huge profit potential for dispensary owners.
Section 1-1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
Section 1-5. Findings.
(a) In the interest of allowing law enforcement to focus on violent and property crimes, generating revenue for education, substance abuse prevention and treatment, freeing public resources to invest in communities and other public purposes, and individual freedom, the General Assembly finds and declares that the use of cannabis should be legal for persons 21 years of age or older and should be taxed in a manner similar to alcohol.
Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program
Sec. 7. Lawful user and lawful products. For the purposes of this Act and to clarify the legislative findings on the lawful use of cannabis:
(1) A cardholder under this Act shall not be considered an unlawful user or addicted to narcotics solely as a result of his or her qualifying patient or designated caregiver status.
(2) All medical cannabis products purchased by a qualifying patient at a licensed dispensing organization shall be lawful products and a distinction shall be made between medical and non-medical uses of cannabis as a result of the qualifying patient's cardholder status, provisional registration for qualifying patient cardholder status, or participation in the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program under the authorized use granted under State law.
(3) An individual with a provisional registration for qualifying patient cardholder status, a qualifying patient in the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program, or an Opioid Alternative Pilot Program participant under Section 62 shall not be considered an unlawful user or addicted to narcotics solely as a result of his or her application to or participation in the program.
