Many pot-smoking adults in Illinois will ring in the new year on a high note when <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jay-z-goes-into-the-marijuana-business-234650">recreational marijuana</a> use becomes legal in the state on January&nbsp;1.

Starting New Years Day, people 21 and older will be able to legally buy up to 30 grams of marijuana flower, 5 grams of marijuana concentrate, or 500 grams of THC-infused products such as edibles at licensed commercial dealers throughout the state.

Cannabis consumers are expected to flock to the handful of licensed shops across Chicago on New Years Day. On the city's North Side, a dealer sold $250 tickets to clients who wanted to be at the front of the line when the store opens early in the morning next Wednesday.

Another shop, Dispensary 33, in the city's Uptown neighbourhood, will use a paging system to usher in customers who are waiting at a bar next door.

"The whole neighbourhood is joining on the party... it'll be a whole new world in Chicago on January&nbsp;1," manager Abigail Watkins said, noting that many businesses in the neighbourhood are offering specials and deals to celebrate the day.

Illinois joins 10 other states and the District of Columbia where small amounts of the drug for adult use is legal. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-teen-arrested-in-russia-over-medical-marijuana-247629">Medical marijuana</a> in Illinois has been legal since 2014.

In June, Illinois Governor JB&nbsp;Pritzker, a Democrat, signed into law marijuana legislation that also allows for some 700,000 marijuana-related records and convictions to be erased.

Not everyone approves of the legislation.

"The message that... these foolish politicians are sending to our communities and especially to our young kids is that it's no big deal," said Illinois Family Institute Executive Director David Smith, who opposes the measure.

"We know that it's a big deal from all of the studies that have been done about the high-potency marijuana that is today's product... we are seeing a spike in marijuana illnesses and addictions," he said.

Private pot sales, driving while high and consuming marijuana in public will remain prohibited in state.

The law is projected to generate more than $57 million in new tax and fee revenue for Illinois in fiscal 2020, which begins on July 1 for the financially troubled state, according to Illinois’ revenue department.

Many pot-smoking adults in Illinois will ring in the new year on a high note when recreational marijuana use becomes legal in the state on January 1. Starting New Years Day, people 21 and older will be able to legally buy up to 30 grams of marijuana flower, 5 grams of marijuana concentrate, or 500 grams of THC-infused products such as edibles at licensed commercial dealers throughout the state.

Many pot-smoking adults in Illinois will ring in the new year on a high note when recreational marijuana use becomes legal in the state on January 1. Starting New Years Day, people 21 and older will be able to legally buy up to 30 grams of marijuana flower, 5 grams of marijuana concentrate, or 500 grams of THC-infused products such as edibles at licensed commercial dealers throughout the state. Cannabis consumers are expected to flock to the handful of licensed shops across Chicago on New Years Day. On the city's North Side, a dealer sold $250 tickets to clients who wanted to be at the front of the line when the store opens early in the morning next Wednesday. Another shop, Dispensary 33, in the city's Uptown neighbourhood, will use a paging system to usher in customers who are waiting at a bar next door. "The whole neighbourhood is joining on the party... it'll be a whole new world in Chicago on January 1," manager Abigail Watkins said, noting that many businesses in the neighbourhood are offering specials and deals to celebrate the day. Illinois joins 10 other states and the District of Columbia where small amounts of the drug for adult use is legal. Medical marijuana in Illinois has been legal since 2014. In June, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, signed into law marijuana legislation that also allows for some 700,000 marijuana-related records and convictions to be erased. Not everyone approves of the legislation. "The message that... these foolish politicians are sending to our communities and especially to our young kids is that it's no big deal," said Illinois Family Institute Executive Director David Smith, who opposes the measure. "We know that it's a big deal from all of the studies that have been done about the high-potency marijuana that is today's product... we are seeing a spike in marijuana illnesses and addictions," he said. Private pot sales, driving while high and consuming marijuana in public will remain prohibited in state. The law is projected to generate more than $57 million in new tax and fee revenue for Illinois in fiscal 2020, which begins on July 1 for the financially troubled state, according to Illinois’ revenue department.

Recreational marijuana to become legal in Illinois on New Years Day

Thailand has legalised the use of medical marijuana with a vote in the National Legislative Assembly, making it the first country in south-east Asia to do so.

"The amendment (on the Narcotics Bill) was passed after the second and third readings today. And will become effective once it is published on the Royal Gazette," lawmaker Somchai Sawangkarn said on Tuesday.

"This could be considered as a New Year gift to Thais," he further remarked, according to CNN.166 members of the legislative assembly voted in favour of the motion, while 13 members abstained from voting. There were no votes against the motion.

However, recreational marijuana is still illegal in the country which is based in a region where most countries have stringent laws against the use of drugs.

The medical use of marijuana is also legal in countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Ireland among others.&nbsp;

Thailand has legalised the use of medical marijuana with a vote in the National Legislative Assembly, making it the first country in south-east Asia to do so. "The amendment (on the Narcotics Bill) was passed after the second and third readings today.

Thailand has legalised the use of medical marijuana with a vote in the National Legislative Assembly, making it the first country in south-east Asia to do so. "The amendment (on the Narcotics Bill) was passed after the second and third readings today. And will become effective once it is published on the Royal Gazette," lawmaker Somchai Sawangkarn said on Tuesday. "This could be considered as a New Year gift to Thais," he further remarked, according to CNN.166 members of the legislative assembly voted in favour of the motion, while 13 members abstained from voting. There were no votes against the motion. However, recreational marijuana is still illegal in the country which is based in a region where most countries have stringent laws against the use of drugs. The medical use of marijuana is also legal in countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Ireland among others.

Thailand: Medical use of marijuana legalised

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Recreational marijuana to become legal in Illinois on New Years Day

Thailand: Medical use of marijuana legalised