HR0671 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0671 LRB102 26253 LAW 36121 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, A total of 37 states, four U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia have allowed for the medical use of cannabis products; 27 states and the District of Columbia have decriminalized small amounts of marijuana; 18 states, two U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia have enacted legislation to regulate cannabis for nonmedical, adult use; and

WHEREAS, In the enactment of legislation allowing for the use of cannabis for medicinal or recreational purposes, states have provided for the regulation and taxation of the use of cannabis; and

WHEREAS, Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act, classifying it among the most dangerous drugs in the Act; and

WHEREAS, Alcohol and tobacco remain outside the purview of the federal Controlled Substances Act and have significant negative impacts on individual and public health, including physical injuries, psychological and social harm, and the onset of chronic, often fatal illnesses related to regular use; and

WHEREAS, Continued scheduling of cannabis under the federal Controlled Substances Act hinders the ability of medical cannabis dispensaries and other cannabis-related businesses to operate without the prospect of federal seizures, forfeitures, arrests, and other enforcement and prosecutorial actions; and

WHEREAS, Such hindrance creates a problem for medical cannabis dispensaries and cannabis-related businesses that are operating legally pursuant to state law and presents difficulties for consumers or businesses that are authorized to grow, sell, or purchase cannabis products under state law; and

WHEREAS, Many financial institutions have been unable to do business with cannabis-related businesses because of existing federal law and policies; and

WHEREAS, Many cannabis-related businesses rely upon cash transactions, which increases the risk of various crimes and prohibits the collection of taxes by individual states and territories; and

WHEREAS, In the interest of promoting efficient business practices, financial institutions should be confident in serving businesses operating legally under state law so long as safety and soundness requirements are met; and

WHEREAS, Legislation has been introduced in Congress to provide for specific regulatory protection and immunity from federal prosecution for depository institutions providing financial services to cannabis-related businesses acting under applicable state law; and

WHEREAS, Maintaining business relationships with financial institutions will allow for greater access to loans and debit and credit transactions for businesses serving the cannabis industry, for their employees, and for consumers purchasing cannabis legally under state law; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the United States Congress to enact legislation removing cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), exempting certain activities related to marijuana, facilitating the full spectrum of private banking services for cannabis-related business, and encouraging scientific research as related to cannabis products in the United States; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, Doctors For Cannabis Regulation, the Drug Policy Alliance, the National Cannabis Industry Association, and the Minority Cannabis Business Association.