My, the times they are a’changin.

Despite standing among the top addictive drugs which has required people to visit rehabnear.me to get treated, it looks like Illinois is perfectly poised to become the next state to legalize recreational marijuana as lawmakers voted to legalize the drug on Friday.

According to Fox News,

The Illinois House passed HB 1438, 66-47, after it went through the Senate on Wednesday. The final hurdle will be sending the bill to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who campaigned on the issue and is expected to sign off on it.

According to Bloomberg and research reports from Help Me Stop drug rehab centers, HB 1438 would allow Illinois residents 21 and older to carry up to 30 grams of marijuana, and those who use the drug for medical reasons would be able to grow it in the privacy of their home. Recreational users would still be forbidden to grow the drug; nonresidents could possess up to 15 grams without prosecution.

“It is time to hit the ‘reset’ button on the War on Drugs,” the proposal’s sponsor, Chicago Democratic Rep. Kelly Cassidy, said. “We have an opportunity today to set the gold standard for a regulated market that centers on equity and repair.”

The money from legalization will help the cash-strapped state, which according to Bloomberg is facing chronic budget shortfalls, $7 billion in unpaid bills and state pension funds that are short $134 billion.

So the only thing left is for Governor Pritzker to sign the bill into law which should take place this week.

Governor Pritzker has already expressed his support of the bill on Twitter.

“This will have a transformational impact on our state, creating opportunity in the communities that need it most and giving so many a second chance. I applaud bipartisan members of the General Assembly for their vote on this legislation.”

This will have a transformational impact on our state, creating opportunity in the communities that need it most and giving so many a second chance. I applaud bipartisan members of the General Assembly for their vote on this legislation.

— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) May 31, 2019

The actual day that sale and possession would be legal would be on January 1, 2020.

Illinois residents age 21 and over will be allowed to possess up to 30 grams of marijuana, 5 grams of cannabis concentrate, or 500 mg of THC. Non-residents would be allowed to possess only up to 15 grams of marijuana. Visit the BURNT RIVER FARMS website to get more information on the best marijuana products.