(only have so much room in a thread title)

Illinois Senate votes to decriminalize possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - The Illinois Senate passed a bill that would decriminalize possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Senate Bill 2228 would change current criminal penalties, including possible jail time, with a citation and fine for possession of up to ten grams of marijuana in Illinois. As long as the sentence is carried out, the civil violation records would eventually be expunged.

"Under current Illinois law, possession of up to 2.5 grams of marijuana is a class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,500; possession of 2.5-10 grams is a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,500; and possession of more than 10 grams up to 30 grams is a class 4 felony punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $1,500 fine," said a statement from an advocacy group called The Marijuana Policy Project.

If the measure passes the Illinois House, it would follow action by more than 100 Illinois communities - plus 20 other states and the District of Columbia - which have already removed criminal penalties for simple marijuana possession, the statement said.

“Serious penalties should be reserved for people who commit serious crimes, not used to punish marijuana consumers. Nobody should face a lifelong criminal record simply for possessing a substance that is less harmful than alcohol," said Marijuana Policy Project legislative analyst Chris Lindsey.

Votes against the measure included 36th District Republican Senator Neal Anderson, 37th District Republican Senator Chuck Weaver, and 45th District Republican Senator Tim Bivins; 47th District Democrat Senator John Sullivan voted in favor of the bill.

The measure passed the Illinois Senate by a 40-14 vote Tuesday, April 19, 2016. It now returns to the House for further consideration.

How each Senator voted: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/99/senate/09900SB2228_04192016_003000T.pdf

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

Don wants to get the first one of you who didn't read the actual article to go grab yourself a half-pound of weed and end up in the slammer.

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You know me like that.

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Be well

GO BEARS!!!

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

Slightly less immoral now.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

because I often stuff nearly 3/4 of a pound of weed in my pockets.

btw: the Senators that voted NAY should not be an Illinois Senator next term. Vote them OUT!

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@audioidkid

I wish Mike Ehrmantraut was around to give a lecture to the IL Senate on half measures.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

if this becomes law i want some restitutions dammit

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the world will always the world. your entire existence is defined by your response.

SB2228 - Cannabis Decriminalization Bill in Illinois passes both houses

Synopsis:
- Amends the Cannabis Control Act.
- Provides that the possession of 10 grams or less of cannabis is a civil law violation punishable by a minimum fine of $100 and a maximum fine of $200.
- Creates the offense of unlawful use of cannabis-based product manufacturing equipment.
- Provides that a violation is a Class 2 felony.
- Provides that the provisions of any ordinance enacted by any municipality or unit of local government which imposes a fine upon cannabis other than as defined in the Cannabis Control Act are not invalidated or affected by this Act.
- Amends the Drug Paraphernalia Control Act.
- Provides that if a person is convicted of 10 grams or less of cannabis, the penalty for possession of any drug paraphernalia seized during the arrest for that offense shall be a civil law violation punishable by a minimum fine of $100 and a maximum fine of $200. Provides for distribution of these fines.
- Amends Illinois Vehicle Code.
- Provides that a person shall not drive or be in actual physical control of any vehicle, snowmobile, or watercraft within this State when the person has, within 2 hours thereof, a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration in the person's whole blood or other bodily substance of 5 nanograms or more of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per milliliter of whole blood or 10 nanograms or more of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol per milliliter of other bodily substance from the unlawful consumption of cannabis (rather than a cannabis THC concentration in any amount).
- Amends various other Acts to make conforming changes.
- Effective immediately.

Now, as to what Gov. Rauner will do with it, well, we'll see. Even then, speaking practically I don't know exactly what would compel the local constabulary to adhere to this if they didn't bloody feel like it.

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!