Illinois Becomes 11th State To Legalize Recreational Marijuana

Illinois became the 11th state to legalize marijuana, prompting long lines to form at dispensaries before sunrise on Jan. 1.

The dispensaries were allowed to begin sales at 6 a.m. but had slight delays because of an issue with the state database designed to track purchases.

State residents are allowed up to 30 grams of the dried flower, five grams of cannabis concentrate and 500 milligrams of THC in edibles, while nonresidents are allowed half those amounts.

Currently, 43 marijuana stores in Illinois may sell recreational marijuana. Buyers must be 21 years or older and show a valid ID.

“The war on cannabis has destroyed families. It has filled jails and prisons with nonviolent offenders. It has disproportionately affected black and brown communities,” Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at a press conference Tuesday.

Pritzker has also pardoned over 11,000 people convicted of low-level marijuana offenses.

Illinois joins Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Vermont in allowing recreational marijuana.