Bill Text: IL HB2750 | 2015-2016 | 99th General Assembly | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Creates the Cannabis Study Act. Provides that before considering the regulation and taxing of cannabis in a manner similar to alcohol and tobacco for individuals 21 years of age or older, the General Assembly shall direct the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council to: (1) determine the effect regulation and taxation would have on law enforcement resources; (2) determine the impact regulation would have on the rate of arrests, predisposition detention, and sentencing; (3) review approaches a cannabis regulation law could take regarding drug-free workplace policies and procedures and what effect the different approaches would have; (4) determine the effect regulation and taxation would have on existing criminal laws, including the Cannabis Control Act; (5) review approaches states have taken to reduce risks associated with the operation of motor vehicles by individuals impaired by intoxicants including but not limited to cannabis, and what effect the different approaches have had on rates of fatalities; (6) determine to what extent the taxation and regulation of cannabis may generate employment and revenue in Illinois if at all; (7) determine the regulatory and taxing system needed for the licensing of entities to sell cannabis and the licensing of entities to grow cannabis; (8) determine the product labeling, quality control, and taxing regulations needed; (9) compare the health effects of cannabis, alcohol, and prescription drugs on the individual and community as it relates to violence, risk-taking, addiction, cancer, overdose, and mortality; (10) determine the impact that existing laws on cannabis possession have on rates of crime and violence; and (11) any other relevant analysis regarding the impact on the public safety and welfare of the citizens of Illinois. Provides that the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council shall consider factors and work in conjunction with, and obtain input from, any individual, agency, association, and research institution deemed appropriate by the Council. Provides that the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council shall report to the General Assembly its findings on or before December 20, 2015.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-04-23 - Third Reading - Short Debate - Lost 029-078-001 [HB2750 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2015-HB2750-Engrossed.html

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AN ACT concerning cannabis.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Cannabis Study Act.
Section 5. Findings.
(a) Numerous localities throughout this State impose a
civil fine for the possession of cannabis. The states of
Alaska, California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,
Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont
impose civil fines, based on specified low gram quantities of
cannabis. On August 29, 2013 the U.S. Department of Justice
issued a "Guidance Regarding Marijuana Enforcement" Memorandum
for all United States Attorneys reaffirming that "the
Department of Justice has not historically devoted resources
for prosecuting individuals whose conduct is limited to
possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use on
private property".
(b) A majority of voters in the states of Alaska (2014),
Oregon (2014), Colorado (2012), and Washington (2012)
legalized the possession of cannabis by any person 21 years of
age or older, and tax and regulate cannabis in a manner similar
to alcohol. Despite existing federal law prohibitions

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regarding the purchase and possession of cannabis, on August
29, 2013, the U.S. Attorney General publicly stated that the
Department of Justice would allow Washington and Colorado to
create a system that would regulate and implement legalization
of the use of cannabis for adults.
(c) Numerous polls, including a 2013 Pew Research Center
poll found that a majority of Americans favor legalizing the
use of cannabis, with an 11 point rise since 2010.
(d) During the 42 years since the enactment of the Cannabis
Control Act, attitudes in this State regarding the use of
cannabis have changed; Public Act 98-122, the Compassionate Use
of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, of the 98th General
Assembly, authorized physicians to prescribe cannabis for
therapeutic use in patients suffering from certain types of
medical conditions.
(e) It is appropriate for this State to consider the
regulation and taxing of cannabis, in a manner similar to
alcohol and tobacco, for individuals 21 years of age or older.
(f) If the General Assembly wishes to consider regulating
and taxing cannabis, in a manner similar to alcohol or tobacco,
for individuals 21 years of age or older, that decision should
be based upon facts which establish that the regulation and
taxation of cannabis is in the best interest of the people of
the State of Illinois.
Section 10. Regulation and taxation of cannabis in a manner

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similar to alcohol and tobacco for individuals over 21 years of
age or older.
(a) Before considering regulation and taxation of cannabis
in a manner similar to alcohol and tobacco for individuals over
21 years of age or older, the General Assembly shall direct the
Sentencing Policy Advisory Council to:
(1) determine the effect regulation and taxation would
have on law enforcement resources;
(2) determine the impact regulation would have on the
rate of arrests, predisposition detention, and sentencing;
(3) review approaches a cannabis regulation law could
take regarding drug-free workplace policies and procedures
and what effect the different approaches would have;
(4) determine the effect regulation and taxation would
have on existing criminal laws, including the Cannabis
Control Act;
(5) review approaches states have taken to reduce risks
associated with the operation of motor vehicles by
individuals impaired by intoxicants including but not
limited to cannabis, and what effect the different
approaches have had on rates of fatalities;
(6) determine to what extent the taxation and
regulation of cannabis may generate employment and revenue
in this State if at all;
(7) determine the regulatory and taxing system needed
for the licensing of entities to sell cannabis and the

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licensing of entities to grow cannabis;
(8) determine the product labeling, quality control,
and taxing regulations needed;
(9) compare the health effects of cannabis, alcohol,
and prescription drugs on the individual and community as
it relates to violence, risk-taking, addiction, cancer,
overdose, and mortality;
(10) determine the impact that existing laws on
cannabis possession have on rates of crime and violence;
and
(11) any other relevant analysis regarding the impact
on the public safety and welfare of the citizens of this
State.
(b) The Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council shall
report to the General Assembly its findings on or before
December 20, 2015.
Section 15. Scope and partnership. The Illinois Sentencing
Policy Advisory Council shall consider factors and work in
conjunction with, and obtain input from, any individual,
agency, association, and research institution, deemed
appropriate by the Council.