•September 7, 2016•

The Illinois Supreme Court has adopted six new rules to establish a regulatory framework for a new state law that decriminalizes the possession of small amounts of cannabis and drug paraphernalia.

Supreme Court Rules 585, 586, 587, 588, 589 and 590 were created in response to legislation the Illinois General Assembly approved this past spring and Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law last month. Public Act 99-697 took effect July 29, 2016, and the new Supreme Court Rules take effect September 1, 2016.

Under the new law, possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis or drug paraphernalia seized during the offense is characterized as a “civil law violation” and is punishable by a fine of between $100 and $200. Previously, possession of up to 10 grams of cannabis was a Class B Misdemeanor that was punishable by up to six months in jail and fines up to $1,500, and possession of drug paraphernalia was a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year of imprisonment and a fine between $750 and $2,500.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.