Barickman: Good chance for marijuana legislation in 2019

Posted on January 3, 2019

*Illinois State Senator Jason Barickman predicts marijuana to be a heavily discussed topic in 2019, with legislation passed this year to allow it in the state. (WJBC/Scott Laughlin)*

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington State Senator is predicting marijuana legislation in the state will be passed in 2019.

Republican Sen. Jason Barickman told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin the move for marijuana legislation should happen this year, but the law will take longer to become effective.

“I predict legal marijuana will be signed into law with an effective date of January 1, 2020,” said Barickman.

Barickman said once legislation is passed, the process moves to state agencies such as the Department of Public Health and Department of Agriculture to issue rules on the legislation.

If passed, Barickman believes Illinois will take precautions to make residents feel safe.

“I think the state will limit it (marijuana) to use in private places where the public can not see…it will be grown indoors and the attempt is to curb all of the bad ideas people are seeing with marijuana around the country and put this the right way.”

The spring legislative session begins next week, as the 101st General Assembly is sworn in Wednesday and Gov.-elect JB Pritzker will take office Jan. 14.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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