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February 13, 1991

Legalization 2014: first legal medical use (very restricted) 42,203 total approved applications so far* 2019: Opioid Alternative Pilot Program More than 5 million opioid prescriptions were given to over 2 million Illinoisans in 2017* Bottom line: more demand with or without recreational legalization *Sun-Times 9/5/18

Proposed Recreational Legalization Businesses seeking a license will have to file a plan for diversity in hiring. Local areas may prohibit or restrict industry. Mandatory expungement of prior convictions for class 4 felony or any misdemeanor violation of Cannabis Control Act. Prior convictions won’t prohibit industry employment or ownership. Based on a meeting Eric attended with Representative Kelly Cassidy and other criminal justice advocates

Proposed Recreational Legalization More licenses to create more paths into industry: Cultivator (more in Greater IL) Dispensary Craft Grower Processing Transporter

Proposed Recreational Legalization New Restoring Our Communities (ROC) model. Provide state funds from cannabis tax to communities ravaged by the War on Drugs. Overseen by ROC board. Public consumption will remain illegal. Employers can still screen for cannabis.

Drug Testing Complication: There is no cannabis breathalyzer. Employers will still be able to test for cannabis. Landlords will still be able to prohibit smoking. Federal law may still link testing to programs.

Employer Discussion Does your business currently drug test some or all employees for cannabis? Why or why not? Do you plan to change any drug screening policies if recreational cannabis becomes legal? How do you currently handle candidates or staff who have medical cannabis prescriptions? If it hasn’t come up, do you have plans in case it does? We can leave this slide up during the panel discussion and continue with questions from the audience.

Small Group Discussion How many of your programs require drug tests? How do you talk to program participants about drug screenings right now? Do you expect this to change if recreational cannabis is legalized? Do you have participants with medical cannabis prescriptions? Has this been a challenge? You all work for employers. What are your organizations’ drug testing policies? What other questions do you have about current and future cannabis policy?

Report Back What were takeaways from your table? What questions do you still have? Are any organizations pursuing or interested in hiring partnerships with cannabis businesses?