By: Mason Gentry
On Jan. 1, 2020 Illinois became the 11th state to legalize cannabis for recreational use.
In Illinois, the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act legalizes and regulates the production, consumption, and sale of cannabis. The act was passed in both houses on May 31, 2019 and went into effect the first of this year.
According to the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, in the state of Illinois, citizens can now possess up to 30 grams of cannabis flower, five grams of cannabis concentrate, and 500 milligrams of THC infused products such as edibles. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the chemical responsible for the ‘high’ feeling. By law, Illinois visitors can only possess half of these amounts.
When it is in your car, cannabis must be kept in its original container, unopened, and out of reach of the driver. It is not to be consumed in the car or while driving.
While cannabis may be consumed in one’s home, use is still restricted in public areas, in motor vehicles, near police officers, school bus drivers, firefighters, corrections officers, and around individuals who are under the age of 21.
Parkland College Police Department Officer, Sam Penland, was able to provide the Prospectus with more insight regarding the new cannabis laws, and how they may pertain to Parkland College students, staff, and faculty.
Driving under the influence of a THC containing product, is illegal and is, “Under the umbrella of driving under the influence,” Penland said. Officers will subject the driver to non-standardized field sobriety tests such as a finger-counting test, finger-to-nose test, or the ABC test.
Along with these tests, “Officers also still carry disposable field tests to test for THC,” Penland said.
CBD, or cannabidiol, which is another compound in the cannabis plant, may be used when operating a motor vehicle. However, the chemical is known to have side effects such as drowsiness or light headedness. If the user experiences these side effects, they should not drive or operate any motor vehicle.
The law still prohibits any possession or use at a college campus.
Penland told the Prospectus that, “In regard to medical card holders being exempt from school grounds, that only applies to K-12 schools,” under Ashley’s Law.
Penland continued that, “Recreational marijuana and medicinal cannabis is illegal at community colleges and campuses. You cannot smoke it or possess it, period. This is because of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act.”
“Students are legally allowed to be under the influence of cannabis while on campus or in class if they are not being disruptive to others”
Students are legally allowed to be under the influence of cannabis while on campus or in class if they are not being disruptive to others. This means that one should not distractingly smell of cannabis and should maintain appropriate behavior. Coats or removable clothing that smells of cannabis can be left in one of the many lockers found around the college.
If students or faculty notice a recurring disruption, the faculty member, “Would probably take that student out of class, take them to the Dean’s office, and try to spray them down and Febreze them and get them in a more appropriate state so that they can return to the learning environment,” Penland said.
There are still risks associated with the possession or use of cannabis for, “Lawful permanent residents of the U.S. (a “green card” holder),” according to an article by attorney Richard Link of nolo.com.
In the article, Link wrote that, “Even though your state may not convict you for using marijuana for medical purposes, the federal government can.” He continued that, “It’s possible that the U.S. government will allege that your medical use of marijuana constitutes abuse or addiction.”
For more information about the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, visit the Illinois General Assembly website.
