Earlier this month, Illinois News Joint reported on an under-the-radar cannabis-related bill moving through the Illinois Senate. Senate Bill 1886, which amends the Illinois’ Unified Code of Corrections and would provide “that a person on probation, conditional discharge, or supervision shall not be ordered to refrain from having cannabis or alcohol in his or her body,” cleared another legislative hurdle today.

March 10, the SB1886 was assigned to the Cannabis Subcommittee with a March 24 deadline. Yesterday, the bill was approved by the Executive committee and is now scheduled for a second reading tomorrow, March 24.

The full synopsis of the bill “Provides that a person on probation, conditional discharge, or supervision shall not be ordered to refrain from having cannabis or alcohol in his or her body unless the person was sentenced to probation, conditional discharge, or supervision for an offense which had as an element of the offense the presence of an intoxicating compound in the person’s body or the person is participating in a Problem-Solving Court certified by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. Provides that for each condition imposed, the court shall state the reasonable relation the condition has to the person’s crime of conviction. Provides that a person on probation, conditional discharge, or supervision shall not be ordered to refrain from use or consumption of any substance lawfully prescribed by a medical provider or authorized by the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act.”

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 “Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Deletes provision that as a condition of probation or conditional discharge, the person must refrain from having in his or her body the presence of any illicit drug prohibited by the Cannabis Control Act. Provides that a person shall not be assessed costs or fees for mandatory testing for drugs, alcohol, or both, if the person is an indigent person as defined in the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that a person on probation, conditional discharge, or supervision shall not be ordered to refrain from having cannabis or alcohol in his or her body unless: 1) the person is under 21 years old; (2) the person was sentenced to probation, conditional discharge, or supervision for an offense which had as an element of the offense the presence of an intoxicating compound in the person’s body; or (3) the person is participating in a problem-solving court certified by the Illinois Supreme Court. Provides that for each condition imposed, the court shall state the reasonable relation the condition has to the person’s crime of conviction. Provides that a person on probation, conditional discharge, or supervision shall not be ordered to refrain from use or consumption of any substance lawfully prescribed by a medical provider or authorized by the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act.”

SB1886 was sponsored by Sen. Robert Peters with added cosponsors Cristina Castro, Javier L. Cervantes, and Sen. Celina Villanueva. The bill was first read on February 9. For more Illinois cannabis industry news, visit here.

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