In recent years, many states have come to change their laws concerning marijuana use. Some states have legalized all use of cannabis; others have written tougher laws in hopes to eliminate use of the drug altogether; and others, like Illinois, have recently opened the door to medical use of the substance. Because of these changes, it is important that you stay informed on local laws for marijuana use and act accordingly. Read on for a summary of marijuana laws in Illinois.

Authorized Use: Medical Marijuana

At the time of this writing, the state of Illinois only permits medical use of marijuana. This approach was formalized when the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program took effect in early 2015. Under this program, medical patients can now apply for legalized access to medical marijuana. To register, a patient must have a qualifying medical condition or disease.

There are still several limitations to medical marijuana use:

• Unless authorized, prescriptions cannot exceed 2.5 ounces of cannabis per 14 days
• Marijuana can only be obtained from authorized cultivation centers
• Patients must follow guidelines for usage and possession
• Patients cannot grow or sell cannabis

Criminal Use of Marijuana

All other activities normally associated with the use and sale of marijuana are still prohibited. If caught with cannabis, you could face criminal charges and serious penalties. You could also face harsh consequences for possessing unauthorized drug paraphernalia.

State law still prohibits the following uses of marijuana:

• Recreation
• Unauthorized possession
• Unauthorized cultivation
• Sales or trafficking

If arrested for any of these offenses, your charges could range from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class X felony. Even the amount of marijuana found in your possession could be enough to warrant a felony. When facing marijuana charges, you need an attorney at your side who understands the criminal process and can help protect your rights.

With more than a decade of experience, our drug crime lawyer is ready to defend your constitutional rights. We know that a strong defense can make the difference between conviction and freedom, and always strive to provide the best possible defense for our clients. Call the Law Offices of Mitch Furman today to fight your drug charges in Chicago!