Lawmakers in at least three states have passed legislation this year to significantly increase the amount of marijuana that adults can legally possess.
These expansions of existing state cannabis legalization laws are advancing as part of broader legislation that addresses various aspects of marijuana regulatory programs that will change how licensed businesses operate within their markets.
But for everyday consumers, the possession limit increases mean they will be able to buy more marijuana when they go to the store and will be protected from potential criminal penalties for carrying certain amounts of cannabis.
Illinois lawmakers this month, for example, passed omnibus cannabis legislation that would allow residents of the state who are over 21 years of age to possess up to 60 grams of marijuana flower—double the amount in current law. They will also be able to have up to 10 grams of cannabis concentrates and infused products with up to 1,000 mg of THC—also double the current limit.
Possession amounts for adult non-residents would also be doubled under the bill.
Aside from numerous other proposed changes to rules for marijuana and hemp businesses that are included in the legislation, SB 3222 would also allow people with convictions for possession of up to 60 grams of marijuana to have those records expunged—double the current cutoff allowing only those with convictions for up to 30 grams to be eligible.
The bill cleared the Senate and House of Representatives and now awaits action from Gov. JB Pritzker (D), who in 2019 signed the state’s marijuana legalization policy into law.
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