Rauner Wants Stricter Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

Excerpt:

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner wants House Bill 218 rolled a little differently before he’ll sign it into law.

The Winnetka Republican used his veto pen Friday to seek changes to the bill, which currently would put possession of small amounts of marijuana on par with a traffic offense.

The bill, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Kelly Cassidy of Chicago, would not make marijuana legal, but it would make possession of 15 grams (about a half-ounce) or less a civil-law offense punishable by a maximum fine of $125.

Cassidy said her bill was an effort to:

• • Bring uniformity to a patchwork of more than 100 local government ordinances that vary regarding amount of the drug and size of the fine.
  • Comport with the governor’s calls for sentencing reform and decreased prison crowding.
  • Reduce the inordinate impact of low-level possession charges on minority and inner city young people.

The governor wrote the bill has merit, but he sought certain changes, including:

• • Moving downward the maximum amount of the drug allowed from 15 grams to 10 grams.
  • Increasing the fines from a range of $55 to $125 to, instead, $100 to $200.

Cassidy’s bill also set a new standard for determining the level of the amount of the drug in a person’s system. Currently, any level of THC (marijuana’s intoxicating chemical) can trigger an arrest.

You can see what else Rauner wants changed and Cassidy’s response at Reboot Illinois-->

Also, don’t forget to check the chart that shows how your local lawmakers voted on the legislation.