Pritzker supports ‘home grow’ provision for recreational marijuana

By Brett Rowland

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. J.B. Pritzker said state law should allow recreational marijuana users to grow their own cannabis at home, within limits.

Pritzker, who has championed the push to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults in Illinois, told reporters Tuesday that he would support a provision allowing people to grow at home.

“People should have home grow, but the question is ‘how much?’” he said.

 

Lawmakers are still in talks about the details of a plan to tax and regulate recreational marijuana. 

 

Several law enforcement groups have come out in opposition to grow-your-own proposals. 

 

State Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, and state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, have discussed plans that would allow adults 21 and older to buy up to an ounce from licensed dispensaries and grow up to five plants indoors. However, Steans’ legislation, Senate Bill 7, doesn’t yet contain any substantive details.

That bill passed out of committee earlier this month with a promise that it be brought back with an amendment updating the proposal – an effort meant to beat a deadline for bills to get out of committee.

Lawmakers are still discussing whether the bill should allow adults to grow their own cannabis at home, Steans has said.

While Pritzker supports home growing, he made it clear that he thinks there should be some limits.

Pritzker said: “I don’t think it’s a philosophical question about whether it should just be an open right for anybody to open their own farm in their basement.”