But, before you line up at one of the dispensaries, there’s a lot to the law you’ll need to know.

“The legalization act is intended to make it legal to possess and to consume cannabis, up to 30 grams, which is approximately one ounce,” said defense attorney Joshua Smith.

Adults will be able to purchase up to 30 grams, but will not be allowed to smoke it in public.

“Generally, smoking is limited to private residences,” Smith explained. “It was constant fighting in the courts, with prosecutors who wanted to convict people for possessing cannabis.”

Illinois residents over the age of 21 can possess up to 30 grams, or edibles containing up to 500 milligrams of THC.

People who are not residents of Illinois can only possess half that, while in the state.

Smokers cannot indulge while around anyone who is under 21, nor police officers, firefighters, or on school grounds.

Growing plants for personal use is prohibited.

Smith says residents should think of the new law as similar to laws on alcohol use: you can’t have a beer and walk down the street, and you can’t drink and drive.

“If you have a container of alcohol within the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, chances are you’re still going to get in hot water,” he said.

Winnebago County State’s Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross added, “Individuals need to understand, you can’t drive and smoke a marijuana cigarette. If you have it in your vehicle, it has to be in a sealed container, in which you purchased it.”

Ed Wojcicki is the Executive Director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. He said that they’ve been doing a lot of research on legal cannabis.

“What’s happened in other states is that people will come in and rent houses, even in upscale neighborhoods, and then they’ll grow plants from the attic down to the basement, and then they’ll sell it on the black market,” Wojcicki said.

For the first half of 2020, cannabis will only be sold at medical marijuana dispensaries.

There are two in the Rockford area: MedMar, at 2696 McFarland Road, and Mapleglen, 4777 Stenstrom Road.