Illinois Compiled Statutes

720 ILCS 550/1 (2026)

The General Assembly recognizes that (1) the current state of scientific and medical knowledge concerning the effects of cannabis makes it necessary to acknowledge the physical, psychological and sociological damage which is incumbent upon its use; and (2) the use of cannabis occupies the unusual position of being widely used and pervasive among the citizens of Illinois despite its harmful effects; and (3) previous legislation enacted to control or forbid the use of cannabis has often unnecessarily and unrealistically drawn a large segment of our population within the criminal justice system without succeeding in deterring the expansion of cannabis use

✓ current as of May 2026
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(720 ILCS 550/1) (from Ch. 56 1/2, par. 701)
    Sec. 1. The General Assembly recognizes that (1) the current state of scientific and medical knowledge concerning the effects of cannabis makes it necessary to acknowledge the physical, psychological and sociological damage which is incumbent upon its use; and (2) the use of cannabis occupies the unusual position of being widely used and pervasive among the citizens of Illinois despite its harmful effects; and (3) previous legislation enacted to control or forbid the use of cannabis has often unnecessarily and unrealistically drawn a large segment of our population within the criminal justice system without succeeding in deterring the expansion of cannabis use. It is, therefore, the intent of the General Assembly, in the interest of the health and welfare of the citizens of Illinois, to establish a reasonable penalty system which is responsive to the current state of knowledge concerning cannabis and which directs the greatest efforts of law enforcement agencies toward the commercial traffickers and large-scale purveyors of cannabis. To this end, this Act provides wide latitude in the sentencing discretion of the courts and establishes penalties in a sharply rising progression based on the amount of substances containing cannabis involved in each case.
(Source: P.A. 77-758.)

    
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 97 cases (14 in the last 5 years), 1993–2025 · leading case: People v. $1,124,905 U.S. Currency, 685 N.E.2d 1370 (Ill. 1997).
People v. $1,124,905 U.S. Currency, 685 N.E.2d 1370 (Ill. 1997). · cites it 4× “(West 1994)) and the Cannabis Control Act (720 ILCS 550/1 et seq. (West 1994)), the General Assembly enacted the Drug Asset Forfeiture Procedure Act (725 ILCS 150/1 et seq.”
People v. Garcia, 2018 IL App (4th) 170339 (Ill. App. Ct. 2018). · cites it 3× “) 720 ILCS 550/1 (West 2012). ¶ 34 Section 100 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act states the following: "It is the intent of the General Assembly [to] * * * penalize most heavily the illicit traffickers or profiteers of controlled substances, who propagate and perpetuate…”
People v. Campbell, 802 N.E.2d 1205 (Ill. 2003). · cites it 2× “At issue in McClanahan was a statute that allowed the State, in prosecutions under the Cannabis Control Act (720 ILCS 550/1 et seq. (West 1998)) or the Illinois Controlled Substances Act (720 ILCS 570/100 et seq.”
People Ex Rel. Devine v. $30,700.00 United States Currency, 766 N.E.2d 1084 (Ill. 2002). · cites it 2× “(West 2000)) and the Cannabis Control Act (720 ILCS 550/1 et seq. (West 2000)). See 725 ILCS 150/2 (West 2000).”
People v. Cervantes, 723 N.E.2d 265 (Ill. 1999). · cites it 2× “Article 25, entitled "Drug Abuse," amended both the Cannabis Control Act (720 ILCS 550/1 et seq. (West 1992)) and the Illinois Controlled Substances Act (720 ILCS 570/100 et seq.”
People v. McClanahan, 729 N.E.2d 470 (Ill. 2000). · cites it 2× “This section allows the State, in prosecutions under the Cannabis Control Act (720 ILCS 550/1 et seq. (West 1998)) or the Illinois Controlled Substances Act (720 ILCS 570/100 et seq.”
People v. Kratovil, 815 N.E.2d 78 (Ill. App. Ct. 2004). · cites it 2× “Section 1 of the Cannabis Control Act states: “The General Assembly recognizes that (1) the current state of scientific and medical knowledge concerning the effects of cannabis makes it necessary to acknowledge the physical, psychological and sociological damage which is…”
People v. Martin, 2011 IL 109102 (Ill. 2011). “afely driving; (5) under the combined influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, or intoxicating compound or compounds to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely driving; or (6) there is any amount of a drug, substance, or compound in the person’s breath, blood, or…”
People v. Garcia, 2018 IL App (4th) 170339 (Ill. App. Ct. 2018). · cites it 3× “) 720 ILCS 550/1 (West 2012). ¶ 34 Section 100 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act states the following: “It is the intent of the General Assembly [to] *** penalize most heavily the illicit traffickers or profiteers of controlled substances, who propagate and perpetuate…”
People v. A Parcel of Prop. Commonly Known as 1945 North 31st Street, Decatur, Macon Cnty., Illinois, 841 N.E.2d 928 (Ill. 2005). “(West 2002)) and the Cannabis Control Act (720 ILCS 550/1 et seq. (West 2002)). 725 ILCS 150/2 (West 2002).”
People v. Gray, 2024 IL 127815 (Ill. 2024). “Defendant concedes in his appellee brief before this court that he has a 2008 Class 3 felony conviction under the Cannabis Control Act (720 ILCS 550/1 et seq. (West 2008)). Such a conviction is a specified qualifying conviction under the armed habitual criminal statute.”
People v. Reedy, 708 N.E.2d 1114 (Ill. 1999). “Section 20 amends the Cannabis Control Act (720 ILCS 550/1 et seq. (West 1996)) by changing the distribution of proceeds from the sale of certain drug forfeiture assets.”
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