House and Senate bills would allow recreational cannabis curbside pickup
Although recently introduced bills regulating hemp have garnered most of the attention this week, two parallel Illinois House and Senate bills, SB3922 and HB5809, also would offer a significant change to the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, including, among other provisions, allowing curbside pickup of cannabis products for recreational customers.
In early December 2023, the Illinois General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules stated that the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) permanently authorization curbside pickup for medical cannabis cardholders. SB3922 and HB5809 would offer the same convenience for recreational customers with one small provision simply stating, “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a dispensing organization may offer curbside pickup or drive-through pickup of cannabis or cannabis-infused products.”
Along with a provision that would solidify curbside pickup for medical patients and recreational customers, the parallel bills with identical wording also would specify that the registering Department shall (instead of may) waive the restriction if the person demonstrates to the registering Department’s satisfaction that his or her conviction was for the possession, cultivation, transfer, or delivery of a reasonable amount of cannabis intended for medical or recreational use (instead of just medical use).
In addition, SB3922 and HB5809 addresses provisions for identification cards:
- Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall follow specified requirements of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act regarding the administration of cultivation center agent identification cards. Repeals provisions regarding cultivation center agent identification cards and dispensing organization agent identification cards.
- Further amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act to provide that that the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall issue all agent identification cards under the Act via an online application portal.
- Provides that all notifications of acceptance or denial for applications under specified provisions shall be sent directly to the agent applicant.
- Provides that an agent who holds a valid agent identification card shall be allowed access to any facility owned or operated by a dispensing organization, cultivating organization, infusing organization, or transportation organization.
Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford introduced SB3922 April 9. SB3922 was referred to Assignments on the same day. Rep. La Shawn K. Ford introduced HB5809 April 8, and the bill was referred to Rules Committee April 10. For more Illinois cannabis industry news, visit here.
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