Democrat JB Pritzker says pardons represent first wave of thousands expected under state’s new marijuana legalization law.
Illinois governor JB Pritzker granted more than 11,000 pardons for low-level marijuana convictions on Tuesday, describing the step as a first wave of thousands of such expungements anticipated under the state’s new marijuana legalization law.
The expungement process is a key part of the law, which takes effect on Wednesday and makes Illinois the 11th state to legalize marijuana for people 21 or older.
Officials estimate 116,000 convictions for possession of 30g or less of marijuana are eligible for pardons under the new law.
People who have been convicted of offenses involving more than 30g of marijuana in Illinois can file court petitions to clear those records.
Illinois regulators said 34 dispensaries have been issued licenses to sell recreational marijuana but not all plan to participate immediately.
Cassidy noted that the Illinois law ensures that the needs of patients who depend on marijuana for medical use will be met. »