Governor Bruce Rauner is collaborating with the police of Illinois in order to figure out the most efficient method to make possessing cannabis in small amounts punishable by fines under a measure that he seems ready to pass. The measure, which also sets a standard for the capacity at which one cannot drive, would provide stronger provisions the Republican governor told lawmakers last year as a condition for removing jail time off of anyone that was incarcerated for having ten or fewer grams of marijuana. A chief sponsor of this year’s measure, Senator Heather Steans, a Chicago Democrat, stated that the Rauner administration has made it very clear that the bill is going to pass but that they are going to need to wait until August so that cops may get ready for it to be implemented.
The measure is coming along at an appropriate time. There are many states wondering whether or not jail is a good punishment for small cannabis offenses. If signed, Illinois would be the seventeenth state to decriminalize marijuana, according to the Marijuana Policy Project. Rauner has shown support for reducing penalties for cannabis offenses. However, his spokeswoman announced that he’s still looking for the measure.
“Part of the review process is working with the Illinois State Police to ensure that the law can be implemented in the best interests of the public,” Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly stated.
Lawmakers submitted the measure to Rauner on June 16th, and he has two months from that date to take action. The proposal proceeded with support from both parties, but some in law enforcement have reservations. Greg Sullivan, the executive director of the Illinois Sheriff’s Association, stated that the measure does not differentiate between minors and adults who are caught with small amounts of marijuana.
“As long as someone can afford the fines, guess what, I may never know it as a parent. I’ve got a problem with that,” Sullivan added.
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