If Illinois does not pass a cannabis-related bill this legislative session, it will not be because a lack of options. Illinois legislators have introduced several omnibus-style bills this session. Most recently, Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford introduced two bills that address cannabis-related amendments across several Acts, including those affecting medical patients. Senate Bill 4048 (SB4048) and Senate Bill 4015 (SB4015) were referred to the Assignments Committee last week.

SB4048:

1. Allows the Department of Professional Regulation to disclose to the Office of the Executive Inspector General confidential information collected during investigations.
2. Specifies that “prescription and nonprescription medicines and drugs” includes, in the specified circumstances, cannabis.
3. Redefines “adult use cannabis” for purposes of these tax Acts.
4. Limits the authority to tax cannabis.
5. Changes the name of the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program to the Opioid Alternative Patient Program.
6. Deletes a provision that provided for the repeal of that program and a provision that granted emergency rulemaking powers for purposes of the program.
7. Authorizes the Department of Public Health to enter into intergovernmental agreements.
8. Removes certain references and repeals certain provisions related to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act.
9. Provides for mergers of certain licenses and medical patient prioritization.
10. Provides for Adult Use Dispensing Organization licensee relocation.
11. Provides for rescission of a conditional license.
12. Makes changes to provisions regarding Adult Use Dispensing Organization Licenses.
13. Adds to requirements for Responsible Vendor Program Training modules.
14. Adds new prohibitions and exceptions to provisions regarding changes to a dispensing organization.
15. Requires prioritizing qualifying patients, provisional patients, and dedicated caregivers.
16. Adds certain State agencies and local health officials to provisions regarding investigations.
17. Makes changes to provisions regarding Cultivation Center Licenses.
18. Authorizes the Department and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to develop and implement an integrated system to issue an agent identification card.

SB4015:

1. Provides that the Department may disclose information collected in the course of an examination of a licensee or registrant to the Office of the Executive Inspector General.
2. Provides that, as used in each Act, “adult use cannabis” means cannabis subject to tax under the Cannabis Cultivation Privilege Tax Law and the Cannabis Purchaser Excise Tax Law.
3. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026 cultivation centers registered under Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act are subject to regulation exclusively as a cultivation center under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
4. Provides that no driver or passenger, otherwise authorized to possess medical cannabis, may within any area of any motor vehicle upon a highway in this State except in a secured, sealed or resealable, odor-proof, and child-resistant container that is inaccessible.

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