Penalty Reduced for Illinois Marijuana Possession

Possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana in Illinois is now punishable by just a citation and a fine of $100 to $200, but no jail time.

Penalty for Possession of Marijuana in Illinois

In the past, possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana in Illinois was a class B misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $1,500 and up to 6 months in jail.

Expungement of Illinois Marijuana Possession Tickets

If you plead guilty to an Illinois pot possession ticket, you will have a drug-related conviction on your criminal record, which can prevent you from getting a job, renting an apartment, and obtaining federal student loans for college.

However, Illinois will automatically expunge pot possession tickets twice a year, on January 1st and again on July 1st.

New Illinois Marijuana Law Reduces Possibility of Getting DUI After Smoking Weed

In the past, if you were caught driving in Illinois with even a trace of marijuana in your blood, you could be charged with a DUI, regardless of whether or not your driving skills were impaired.

Under the new Illinois law, if you are caught driving while under the influence of marijuana, police won’t charge you with a DUI unless 5 nanograms or more of THC in your blood (or 10 nanograms or more in your saliva) is detected.

Illinois Municipalities Can Increase the Penalty for Marijuana Possession

Cities and towns throughout Illinois can increase the fine amounts for marijuana possession, or they can add additional penalties, such as a requirement that defendants complete a drug education class in addition to paying the fine.

For more information, click here to read a recent Chicago Tribune article about the new Illinois marijuana law.