Illinois governor pardons 11,000 for low-level marijuana convictions
Democrat JB Pritzker says pardons represent first wave of thousands expected under state’s new marijuana legalization law
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Illinois governor JB Pritzker granted more than 11,000 pardons for low-level marijuana convictions, describing the step as a first wave of thousands of such expungements anticipated under the state’s new marijuana legalization law. The expungement process is a key part of the law, which takes effect on January 1, 2020, and makes Illinois the 11th state to legalize marijuana for people 21 or older. Lawmakers want to repair some of the damage caused by efforts to combat sale and use of the drug, particularly in minority communities. Officials estimate 116,000 convictions for possession of 30g or less of marijuana are eligible for pardons. (See also: 'The beginning of a new age, the end of an antiquated viewpoint’: Long lines, celebrations mark first hours of recreational marijuana sales in Illinois)
