What does marijuana legalization mean?
Recreational marijuana will be legalized on January 1st, 2020 for adults 21+ years old.
Illinois legalized medical marijuana use in 2013.
Effective January 1st, in-state residents can purchase:
• 30 grams of cannabis flower
• 5 grams of cannabis concentrate such as oils or dabs
• 250 milligrams of THC in cannabis-infused products such as edibles or tinctures
Out-of-state visitors can purchase half the above amounts.
Youth under 21 are not allowed to purchase recreational marijuana. DUI laws apply to marijuana use.
To learn more about Illinois’ legalization of recreational marijuana, visit these links:
Effects of Marijuana / THC on Youth
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical responsible for most of marijuana's psychological effects and acts much like the cannabinoid chemicals made naturally by the body, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Research suggests that regular use of marijuana during adolescence may result in:
• Learning problems
• Memory issues
• Future use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
• Lower math and reading scores
• Mental health issues, such as impaired emotional development, depression, anxiety and psychotic symptoms (not knowing what is real, hallucinations and paranoia)
Interested in sharing facts about marijuana and tips with parents?
Here are some great resources to get the conversation started!