Political ban was one toke over the line

Trial Notebook

By Steven P. Garmisa

Hoey & Farina

Posted July 21, 2017 12:52 PM

In 2013, when Illinois became the 19th state to enact a medical marijuana program, the General Assembly amended Section 9-45 of the Electoral Code to outlaw contributions to political action committees and campaigns from organizations that cultivate and dispense cannabis under the Medical Cannabis Act.Contending that Section 9-45 violates the First Amendment, Claire Ball and Scott Schluter sued the eight members of the Illinois Board of Elections. The complaint called for strict scrutiny of Section 9-45 — because the …

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