Contributor: KC Scannell
The passing of marijuana legalization is a very important event. The state that’s lucky enough to join the ranks of other cannabis-embracing regions is usually buzzing with excited marijuana enthusiasts who can’t wait for their beloved herb to be completely legal in their hometown.
There are so many good things that come along with cannabis legalization.
Cities and states can take in some much-needed income to improve their infrastructure and create helpful programs to better their neighborhoods. And people who are in dire need of some more natural forms of medicine to deal with their various aches, pains, and ailments can finally acquire some much-needed bud after many years of waiting. It’s an overall amazing situation.
Illinois Cannabis Enthusiasts Are Blown Away By This Wisconsin Sheriff’s Message About Marijuana
But, while there are almost too many positives to list off here, one of the biggest things that need to happen when a state decides to legalize cannabis is education.
The public needs to be taught about the intricacies of these new laws and how they can affect their cannabis routines. For example, some are under the impression that once this law goes into action, they can just fire up whenever and wherever they want. Not true.
There’s a ton of regulations that govern the use of cannabis in public settings. You can’t just light up a joint after you’ve completed a meal at a restaurant or anything like that. That’s straight-up illegal, though it does sound ideal.
Another thing folks need to consider is how much cannabis they can have on their person at a time. You can’t become some sort of marijuana hoarder, you need to play by the rules and only possess what the government allows. For people who live in Illinois, it’s important to know that you are allowed to have up to a half-gram of edibles (or other THC-enriched item), 30-grams of flower, and five-grams of concentrates (shatters, waxes, etc.).
That’s a pretty large amount, to be quite honest. Exceeding that would be a bit much, even for a seasoned stoner, such as myself. And, if you’re ever caught going over that agreed upon limit, the police will assume you have that much with an intent to sell and/or distribute, and it’s likely going to come along with a pretty hefty punishment. So, it’s best to play it safe and just keep as much marijuana as you’ll need – any more than that, and you might get in trouble.
These quick bits of information are incredibly useful, especially as recreational cannabis is about to become legal in Illinois. But, that’s just the thing – it’s only legal in Illinois. You can’t hook up your friends in adjacent states solely because you can legally buy cannabis now in your area. And the same goes for tourists.
If you want to stop in and grab some bud from one of their many fine dispensaries, by all means, go for it. But be sure to finish off whatever buds you have left before crossing state lines. Because you better believe those highway patrolmen are ready and waiting to arrest anybody who tries to bring some marijuana into their non-sanctioned state.
There was a public statement made on the matter recently, that came from a Wisconsin Sheriff’s Department. In it, they said, “[Wisconsin residents can] travel to Illinois and consume recreational marijuana,” which is nice. But then they follow it up by stating, “It is going to be business as usual for the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department. We will still enforce Wisconsin law even though the substance was legally purchased in Illinois.”
Which, don’t get me wrong, makes a lot of sense. It just seems more like an intimidation tactic, and less like a learning lesson for those curious about new and upcoming cannabis laws, if you ask me.
It’s like, yeah, we get it. Just because it’s legal in one place doesn’t mean it’s legal in another. That’s common sense. So, you don’t need to offer up this unwarranted threat to those who may want to venture into Illinois to try out some recreational cannabis.
It just seems like overkill, is all I’m saying.
But, regardless of the methodology, the fact of the matter remains: you cannot transport recreational cannabis from Illinois into any adjacent state that still considers marijuana an illegal substance.
Hopefully, it won’t be long before cannabis is legalized from coast to coast, but until that time, you’ll just have to play by the rules and enjoy marijuana only in places where it’s allowed by the law to do so. No worries, though. I’m sure a plethora of different smoke lounges will pop up in Illinois in no time to serve just such a need.
I remember how it felt when cannabis was first legal on the recreational level in California. It was such an amazing day. Even though only a select portion of the population enjoys the benefits of marijuana, the streets that day were filled with eager enthusiasts – each trying to decide what they should spend their first legal marijuana dollars on. The atmosphere was electric and, to be honest, very little has changed.
Dispensaries continue to spring up every month or so, and the neighborhoods that house these cannabis clubs aren’t showing any signs of degradation, nor is there any increase in crime. Actually, if anything, these places have shown a decrease in crime. And it’s likely due to the legalization of marijuana rendering the average “dealer” irrelevant.
That’s what you should be most excited about, people of Illinois – the days of suffering through getting bud from a “dealer” are quickly going to become a thing of the past. No longer will you have to abide by their constantly flaky demeanor and unpredictable schedules. Also, the whole “illegal” factor of the entire ordeal will evaporate come January 1, 2020, and I couldn’t be more excited for you.
In conclusion, I’ll leave you with this one bit of advice. And, from enthusiast to enthusiast, this is something I wish someone prepared me for.
Alright, so when you head into your first dispensary – don’t freak out.
The sign-in process is typically as easy as they come, with you having to hand over your ID, along with the most basic of information. Shortly after that, you’ll be ushered into a showroom of sorts. Here is where you’ll find all of the marijuana they have, in its various forms and mediums.
Don’t get overwhelmed, though. Merely wait until a budtender is ready to assist you and ask them whatever questions you have. Don’t be shy, there are no stupid questions. Plus, the more you know about a product and its effects, the better off you’ll be.
Then, once you’ve picked out your products, you can begin the transaction process.
Most places operate on a cash-only basis, but there are some establishments generous enough to accept card payments, as well. But, a good rule of thumb is to always hit up an ATM before you get there. Sure, they may have one on-site, but they are typically riddled with transaction fees that only serve to harsh the mellow of an otherwise enjoyable cannabis buying experience.
However, speaking of that potential monetary-related bummer, you should also know that your grand total will likely increase when it comes time to fork over your money. This is because of the many required state and local taxes that each legitimate dispensary has to charge.
Which, yes, does suck – but hey, you’re buying legal cannabis, so is it really that bad?
