Federal Marijuana Prosecutions Keep Declining In Era Of Legalization, Chief Justice Reports

One day before legal recreational marijuana sales launch in Illinois, the governor announced that his office is clearing the records of more than 11,000 people who have previously been convicted of simple cannabis possession.

Gov. J. B. Pritzker (D) said the move “sets us apart” from other states that have legalized marijuana for adult-use and that “Illinois is putting equity first, clearing thousands of convictions and giving individuals & their families a new lease on life.”

These 11,017 misdemeanor convictions represent individuals who have carried around with them a stain on their records for possessing less than 30 grams of cannabis – a stain that has very often prevented them from obtaining housing or jobs or benefits.

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) December 31, 2019

A total of 11,017 people will be receive pardons for possession offenses of up to 30 grams. The governor’s office said that there are 116,000 records that are eligible for expungement through this process, with hundreds of thousands of others that may qualify for relief by petitioning the courts.

Here in Illinois, we’re not just looking back and correcting the wrongs of our past – we’re facing our future, determined to do better – for everyone.

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) December 31, 2019

“Importantly, this is just the first wave of Illinoisans who will see a new world of opportunities emerge as they shed the burden of their nonviolent cannabis-related convictions and records,” he said.

But unlike other states, in Illinois, we purposely built a system where the market has room to grow, so that entrepreneurs, including especially those from the communities devastated by the war on drugs, will have real opportunities in this industry.

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) December 31, 2019

While Prtizker said he anticipates Illinois will see “high demand and long lines” for marijuana as legal sales go online, he emphasized the need to address restorative justice at the same time that the state benefits economically from its adult-use program.

We are ending the 50-year long war on cannabis.

We are restoring rights to many tens of thousands of Illinoisans.

We are bringing regulation and safety to a previously unsafe and illegal market.

And we are creating a new industry that puts equity at its very core.

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) December 31, 2019

Illinois lawmakers “purposely built a system where the market has room to grow, so that entrepreneurs, including especially those from the communities devastated by the war on drugs, will have real opportunities in this industry,” he said. “It’s important to put this moment in perspective.”

The governor said legalization will accomplish four main feats: ending a decades-long prohibition on cannabis, restoring rights to tens of thousands of residents, regulating a formerly unsafe illicit market and developing an industry “that puts equity at its very core.”

State’s Attorney Kim Foxx joined Pritzker to announce the expungements and said that “[c]learing cannabis records will reopen doors for thousands of people and strengthen our communities.”

Today I joined @GovPritzker as we took another step toward justice. Clearing cannabis records will reopen doors for thousands of people and strengthen our communities. Thank you Governor for your leadership in fighting for equity and reform. pic.twitter.com/U5cRcLAawg

— State’s Attorney Kim Foxx (@SAKimFoxx) December 31, 2019

“Today we took another step toward justice, as we continue to address the failed war on drugs and the disproportionate impact it had on communities of color,” Foxx said in a press release. “Clearing records under this revolutionary new law will not only open doors for thousands of families but will create stronger, safer communities as well.”

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (D) said that “Illinois is going where no other state has before, admitting the unjust errors of the war on drugs and giving so many Illinoisans greater opportunities to build good lives for themselves and the people they love.”

Illinois’ legalization of adult-use cannabis is the most equity-centric in the nation. Why? Because it is rooted in #restorativejustice and the understanding that we can’t have true justice without #equity and opportunity. #JEO #cannabis

— Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton (@LtGovStratton) December 31, 2019

“Our Restore, Reinvest and Renew program will direct 25 percent of the state’s cannabis revenue right back into the communities hit the hardest by decades of over-policing, disinvestment, disenfranchisement and violence,” she said. “In that effort, we’re lifting up the voices of the people who actually live in these neighborhoods, who know these blocks and exactly where our dollars will make a real difference.”

This is justice. This is what social #equity is all about…righting wrongs and leveling the playing field.

Illinois has earned its place in history, @GovPritzker is a courageous leader, and I’m thrilled he believes in second chances. #cannabis #JEO

— Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton (@LtGovStratton) December 31, 2019

Illinois became the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana when Pritzker signed the reform legislation in June. It was the first state to approve a tax-and-regulate system for cannabis through the legislature as opposed to by voters via a ballot initiative.

Advocates expect to see many other new state marijuana laws enacted in the coming months and years.

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Photo courtesy of Philip Steffan.