Special laws apply to adults over 18 who sell drugs to minors
Special laws apply to people 18 or older who sell drugs to those under 18.
The Illinois Cannabis Control Act provides for a sentence of up to twice the usual maximum term for delivering drugs to someone who is under 18 and at least three years younger than the deliverer.
Those convicted under this law cannot be treated as first offenders, which means they lose the chance to have the conviction wiped from the record after a successful term of probation.
Also, anyone 18 or older who delivers any controlled, counterfeit or look-a-like substance to a person under 18 may also get twice the usual prison term.
And, anyone who manufactures or delivers drugs on or within 1,000 feet of a school, park or residential property owned by the state may suffer increased penalties, as may a person 18 or older who hires someone under 18 to manufacture or deliver drugs.
Anyone who deals in drug paraphernalia for profit may be fined up to $1,000 for each item. Anyone 18 or over who sells or delivers such items to someone under 18 for profit commits a felony. Possession of drug paraphernalia is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or 364 days in jail.
Note: This information was prepared as a public service by the Illinois State Bar Association and is a joint project with the Illinois Press Association. Its purpose is to inform citizens of their legal rights and obligations.
© Illinois State Bar Association
If you have questions about the application of the law in a particular case, consult your lawyer. The law is constantly changing. Information on this site or any site to which we link does not constitute legal advice.