The Illinois Senate voted on Tuesday to decriminalize the possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana. The proposed bill would replace criminal penalties for possession of 10 grams or less with a fine and a citation.
Over 100 places in Illinois have decriminalized marijuana, which would be extended to the entire state if this bill passes in the House of Representatives. Twenty other states have decriminalized marijuana possession to some extent.
Senate Bill 2228 would change current criminal penalties, including possible jail time, with a citation and fine for possession of up to ten grams of marijuana in Illinois. As long as the sentence is carried out, the civil violation records would eventually be expunged.
"Under current Illinois law, possession of up to 2.5 grams of marijuana is a class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,500; possession of 2.5-10 grams is a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,500; and possession of more than 10 grams up to 30 grams is a class 4 felony punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $1,500 fine," said a statement from an advocacy group called The Marijuana Policy Project.
Good. A person shouldn't have their life ruined over possession of a plant that isn't deadly.