Illinois Rep. Carol Ammons and Kelly M. Cassidy filed with the House of Representatives Clerk’s Office an amendment to the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act to Illinois resident 21 years of age or older may cultivate cannabis plants.

The amendment synopsis as introduced stated, “Provides that an Illinois resident 21 years of age or older (rather than a person who is a registered qualifying patient under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act) may cultivate cannabis plants, with a limit of 5 plants that are more than 5 inches tall, per household without a cultivation center or craft grower license.”

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This amendment “Deletes provision that cannabis plants may only be tended by registered qualifying patients who reside at the residence, or their authorized agent attending to the residence for brief periods, such as when the qualifying patient is temporarily away from the residence.”

ilga.gov website

The amendment also allows for recreational growers to purchase seeds from dispensary, stating, “Provides that an Illinois resident 21 years of age or older (rather than adult registered qualifying patients) may purchase cannabis seeds from a dispensary for the purpose of home cultivation.”

The same punishes for medical patients also will apply to recreational growers, stating, “Provides that an Illinois resident 21 years of age or older (rather than a registered qualifying patient) who cultivates more than the allowable number of cannabis plants, or who sells or gives away cannabis plants, cannabis, or cannabis-infused products produced under this provision, is liable for penalties as provided by law, including the Cannabis Control Act (deletes in addition to loss of home cultivation privileges as established by rule).”

The status of the amendment included Rep. Carol Ammons filing the amendment January 25, and Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy was added January 26.

Rep. Carol Ammons

The first reading in the House took place January 27, and the amendment was then referred to the Rules Committee on the same day.

Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy

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