On Tuesday, June 25, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Act (CRTA) into law. While the CRTA won’t take effect until January 1, 2020, landlords and property managers should start planning now for issues that may arise with their tenants.

 

This article will review the five items landlords should know about recreational cannabis use and restrictions in Illinois.

 

  1. POSSESSION

Illinois residents 21 years or older will be able to purchase up to:

  • 30 grams of cannabis flower
  • edibles totaling 500mg of THC
  • five grams of concentrated THC products

 

Visitors to Illinois will be able to purchase half those amounts.

 

  1. PUBLIC USE

It will be illegal to smoke or consume cannabis*:

  • in a public place
  • in a motor vehicle
  • on school grounds
  • near an individual under 21 years of age
  • near an on-duty school bus driver, police officer, firefighter, or corrections officer

 

*Registered qualifying patients under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, are granted certain exceptions for possession volume and cultivation of cannabis (ex. possession on school grounds and/or possession by or in proximity to a minor.)

 

Further, the CRTA does not permit any person to smoke cannabis in any place where smoking is already prohibited under the Smoke Free Illinois Act, such as restaurants, retail stores, offices, etc.

 

  1. PRIVATE USE

Business owners, property owners, and landlords are free to prohibit recreational cannabis use on their privately-owned property.

 

Like tobacco smoke, secondhand cannabis smoke will likely result in complaints by tenants and neighbors. Landlords can continue to adopt a “smoke free housing” policy and prohibit smoke of any kind inside of their properties.

 

For those landlords renting condominium units, keep in mind that the CRTA amended the Illinois Condominium Property Act (ICPA), adding a new section on the smoking and consumption of cannabis. For more on those changes, check out “The New “Reefer Madness”: Is Your Association Ready for the Legalization of Recreational Marijuana in Illinois?”.

 

  1. GROWING CANNABIS

Only an Illinois resident 21 years of age or older who is a registered qualifying patient under the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act may cultivate cannabis plants, with certain restrictions.

 

However, the CRTA states that cannabis cultivation may occur only on residential property lawfully in possession of the cultivator, or with the consent of the person in lawful possession of the property. As such, the property owner or landlord may prohibit the cultivation of cannabis by a tenant.

 

  1. UNCHARTED TERRITORY

Recreational cannabis is uncharted territory in Illinois. Addressing issues related to the possession and consumption of cannabis will be an evolutionary process for legislators, attorneys, and especially landlords and property managers.

 

Proactively reviewing leases and updating rules in advance of January 1 will go a long way to ensure that tenants are clear on the landlord’s expectations, thereby mitigating conflict.

 

Do you have questions or concerns about lease agreements, smoke-free housing, or accommodations for medical use?  Our experienced attorneys are here to help. Call KSN toll-free at 855-537-0500 or visit www.ksnlaw.com to get started today.

 

Since 1983, KSN has been a legal resource for condominium, homeowner, and townhome associations. Additionally, we represent clients in real estate transactions, collectionslandlord/tenant issues, and property tax appeals. We represent thousands of clients and community associations throughout the US with offices in several states including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

This article is made available by the lawyer or law firm publisher for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By reading this article you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the article author. This article should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state. © 2019 Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit, A Professional Corporation.