In 2014, the Illinois Medical Cannabis Program went into effect, and has generated over $500 million in retail sales in the period since it began. In January 2020, the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act went into effect, making Illinois the eleventh state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, and the first state to do so through a legislative act (as opposed to a voter ballot initiative). The Act is expected to generate billions more in new revenues in Illinois. Nevertheless, the use of marijuana—whether for recreational or medical purposes—remains prohibited by federal law.
The legalization of marijuana in Illinois is accompanied by numerous legal issues, including issues related to the limits of legal use within Illinois, the regulatory structure for growing and dispensing cannabis, state criminal enforcement and expungement, the relationship between federal and state criminal prosecutions, advertising and employment law, social justice, and public health.
This Symposium will consider these and other issues related to the legalization of cannabis in Illinois and across the country. Speakers will share their expertise and provide a blueprint for navigating the new legal and regulatory environment created by these changes in the law.
Accreditation
CLE The Southern Illinois University School of Law is accredited by the Minimum Continuing Legal Education Board of the Supreme Court of Illinois to provide continuing legal education for attorneys. This educational activity has applied for 7 MCLE credits.
Symposium Information
Symposium Speakers
Brendan Kelly, Director of the Illinois State Police "A Word from the Director from the Illinois State Police"
Jay Wexler, Professor of Law - Boston University School of Law "Prudent Exuberance, not Grudging Tolerance: The Case of Marijuana Advertising."
Andrew Freedman, Co-Founder and Partner, Freedman & Koski, Inc. "The Practical Limitations of the Anti-Commandeering Doctrine"
Daniel Orenstein, Visiting Assistant Professor - Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law), "Preventing Industry Abuse of Cannabis Equity Programs"
Lauren Newell, Professor of Law - Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law "Unintended Consequences of the Retail Marijuana Business"
LUNCH (Potential Speaker)
Michael Neville, Attorney - Fox Rothschild LLP "How to Respond to Regulatory Action / Discipline"
William McNichol, Adjunct Professor - Rutgers Law School "Proving Impairment In the Workplace and On the Highway"
Kerry Cork, Senior Staff Attorney - Public Health Law Center at Mitchell Hamline School of Law "Toking, Smoking, & Public Health: Lessons from Tobacco Control for Marijuana Regulation"
Ben Rajotte, Ben Rajotte, Esq. “Cannabusiness Ethics”
Angela J. Hill, Assistant Federal Public Defender “Forgiven but Not Forgotten: Continuing Collateral Consequences of Expunged Marijuana Convictions”
Daniel Klingemann, Union County State’s Attorney’s Office "Expungement in Illinois from a State’s Attorney’s Perspective"
Moderators
Cynthia Fountaine, SIU Professor of Law and Professor Behan, SIU Assistant Professor of Law
Registration
Register Now!
CANCELED Online Professionals - $40 includes program lunch and continuing legal credits
CANCELED Online SIU Students - FREE (but you must register for a lunch count)
CANCELED Call Conference and Scheduling Services at 618/536-7751 with a VISA, Discover, or Mastercard.
CANCELED Fax the participant registration form with credit card information to 618/453-5680.
Seating is limited. Early registration is encouraged.
Refund/Cancellation Policy
Refunds, minus a $20 processing fee, will be issued if requested prior to March 10, 2020.
No refunds after March 10th.
Any Questions?
Please call Jackie Welch at 618/536-7751 or send an jackiew@siu.edu.