Illinois joined at least 16 other states on July 29, 2016 when it enacted 720 ILCS 550/4. That law decriminalized the possession of less than 10 grams of cannabis. More than 10 grams (up to 100 grams) is still considered a misdemeanor offense. Previously up to 30 grams was considered a misdemeanor offense. Over 30 grams was a felony. Now the law alllows three times the possession limit to remain a misdemeanor offense. The fines vary for the civil offense from $100 up to $200 plus court costs.
Practically speaking this change will affect quite a few offenders. Most cases prosecuted before the law were for amounts lower than 10 grams. There were and are quite a few cases where the cannabis amounts are in excess of 100 grams.
The obvious benefit to the law change is that a casual user who faces a charge will not have a criminal conviction on his/her background. However, it is unknown what remedy now exists under the expungement act since that only allows the remedy for a criminal arrest.
