Category: Article
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Metrc Announces New Sustainability Measures in Press Release
Metrc, the company behind the seed-to-sale tracking system used in several state cannabis programs and soon to be Illinois’ official provider, announced a series of sustainability initiatives in a recent press release. The company says it has redesigned its plant tags to use 30% less plastic, with a single-layer format that reduces total production waste…
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New Portal for Illinois Medical Cannabis Patients/Caregivers Goes Live
I first reported in January 2023 that Illinois was planning to overhaul its Medical Cannabis Portal, after Michael Morthland of IDPH previewed the upcoming portal during a meeting I attended with the Cannabis Regulation Oversight Office. Today, the state officially launched the new portal for medical cannabis patients and caregivers. The image below shows the…
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Illinois Senate Advances Bill to Curb Cannabis-Based Traffic Stops, House Consideration Up Next
The Illinois Senate has passed Senate Bill 42, a measure sponsored by Senator Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet) that would prohibit law enforcement from using the smell of cannabis—raw or burnt—as the sole reason to search a vehicle. You can watch my interview with Senator Rachel Ventura here The bill is a direct response to confusion created…
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Illinois Begins Transition to Metrc for Cannabis Tracking; BioTrack Shutdown Set for July 1
On May 16, 2023, Metrc announced that Illinois intended to award the company a contract for its cannabis seed-to-sale tracking system. A press release from the State of Illinois on February 4, 2025, confirmed that the state will transition to Metrc this summer, replacing BioTrack. According to new implementation documents shared by Metrc, the phased…
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Criminal Law Committee in the Illinois Senate Votes to Advance Bill to Ban Vehicle Searches Based on Smell of Cannabis
On Tuesday, February 19th, an Illinois Senate committee voted 7-3 to advance Senate Bill 42, which would eliminate the requirement that cannabis be transported in vehicles in an odor-proof container. Update: As of February 27, 2025, this legislation is set for its third reading in the Senate on March 4, 2025. After the third reading,…
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Illinois Bill Proposes Expanded Expungement for Cannabis Offenses
A newly introduced bill in the Illinois House seeks to expand eligibility for expungement of cannabis-related offenses. House Bill 1055 (HB1055), introduced by Rep. Dave Vella on January 9, 2025, proposes changes to the Criminal Identification Act. According to the bill synopsis, it would modify the definition of a “Minor Cannabis Offense” by increasing the…
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Illinois Lawmakers Propose Bills to Allow Cannabis Delivery and Expand Access for Medical Patients
Two new bills filed in the Illinois House aim to expand cannabis access, including allowing home delivery and easing restrictions on medical cannabis purchases. House Bill 2557 (HB2557), introduced by Rep. Sonya M. Harper on February 4, 2025, would create the Cannabis Delivery License Act, establishing a licensing system for businesses to deliver cannabis products…
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Illinois Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Expand Home Cultivation Limits and Medical Cannabis Caregivers
A new bill filed in the Illinois House aims to expand access to medical cannabis and increase the number of plants residents can legally grow at home. According to the synopsis for the legislation, House Bill 3498 (HB3498), introduced by Rep. Rita Mayfield on February 7, 2025, proposes amendments to Illinois’ cannabis laws. The bill…
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Illinois Officially Announces Transition to Metrc for Cannabis Seed-to-Sale Tracking
On May 16, 2023, Metrc announced that Illinois planned to award the company a contract for its cannabis seed-to-sale tracking system. According to a press release issued today by the State of Illinois, the state will transition to Metrc as its new seed-to-sale tracking system for medical and adult-use cannabis sometime this summer. The system…
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Illinois Bill Aims to End Cannabis Odor-Based Vehicle Searches
A new legislative effort in Illinois aims to standardize how law enforcement handles cannabis odor in vehicle searches, following conflicting rulings from the state’s Supreme Court. Introduced by State Senator Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet), Senate Bill 0042 (SB 42) would ensure that the odor of raw or burnt cannabis alone cannot justify the search of a…
The Cole Memo 