Legalization of recreational marijuana proposed

SPRINGFIELD - Gov. J.B. Pritzker's proposed budget for the 2020 fiscal year includes $170 million in new revenue from licensing fees for legalized recreational marijuana, but the details of such legislation are not yet finalized.

State Sen. Heather Steans and state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, both Chicago Democrats who have been working on marijuana legislation for two years, said they wouldn't rush the process on behalf of revenue.

"Assuming that we want to have some revenue, I think we'd like to pass it by the end of May," Steans said Thursday, Feb. 21. "But I think both Representative Cassidy and I have been very clear that the revenue is not what is motivating or should drive this legislation, but obviously it's a side benefit piece that can also come."

Cassidy and Steans both said they are waiting for information from a demand study before moving legislation forward. They also want to ensure minority inclusion for vendors and social justice for persons incarcerated for cannabis crimes which no longer would be illegal under the bill.

Steans said she would hope to have language filed for a Senate bill "in the next month or so," and both said they would like to see it passed by May 31, provided they can iron out the final details. Neither would speak to the governor's $170 million revenue projection for the fiscal year.