Read about Weed: Adult-use cannabis becomes legal in Illinois (and Evanstons) on January 1.
Evanston Police Department's Sergeants Ken Carter (in English) and Tony Correa (in Spanish) provide the in and outs of adult weed use as it becomes legal for residents age 21 and over to purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries on January 1, 2020.
Click here for the You Tube videos released by the City of Evanston earlier today:
Below is a transcript of the You Tube videos.
(NOTE: Tax from the sales of cannabis in Evanston will support the Evanston Reparations Initiative.)
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Cannabis can be sold as:
-- Traditional cannabis flower (weed)
-- Cannabis-infused products (edibles) such as brownies and gummies; and
-- Cannabis concentrates like wax and THC oils
-- Adult residents can possess up to 30g of weed, 500 mg of THC contained in infused products; and 5g of concentrate cumulatively.
You cannot:
-- Use or possess cannabis on a school bus or on the grounds of a preschool, elementary school, or high school.
--Use or possess cannabis at a private residence that provides child care, foster care, or similar social service care.
-- Possess cannabis in a vehicle, unless the cannabis product is secured and sealed and reasonably inaccessible.
-- Use cannabis in any public place, including parks, recreation centers, wildlife areas, in any motor vehicle, meaning you cannot consume cannabis whether you're the passenger or the driver; or knowingly in proximity to anyone under the age of 21 who is not a registered cannabis patient; or anywhere smoking is prohibited by the Illinois Smoke Free act.
Illinois State Law regulates cannabis similarly to alcohol, meaning no-one under the age of 21 can consume cannabis, unless they're a registered medical cannabis patient.
Violations of these restrictions can result in citation.
-- Landlords can prohibit cannabis use on their property, however, this would be a civil issue.
-- Finally, you're not allowed to grow cannabis plants at home without a valid medical cannabis use card.
-- Driving while drunk and driving while high are dangerous and illegal.
EPD has taken a proactive approach, ensuring officers are trained and aware of the new state law, as well as changes in our local ordinance.
For more info, go to the Illinois General Assembly's website at ILGA.gov, and CityofEvanston.org/Cannabis
