CHAPTER 11 - RULES OF THE ROAD
Also Known As: Weed in Car, Medical Cannabis in Vehicle, Pot in Car, Cannabis Transportation

625 ILCS 5/11-502.1

Sec. 11-502.1. Possession of medical cannabis in a motor vehicle.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/11-502.1
Offense Description
Unlawful use of medical cannabis in motor vehicle by medical cannabis cardholder
Offense Classification
Petty Offense
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.
SAFE-T Act Pretrial Detention Eligibility (725 ILCS 5/110-6.1)
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State Driver's License Action
SOS Administrative Action: Moving Violation (Point Assessment & Suspension Counter) · Conviction counts toward Illinois SOS license suspension threshold (3 convictions in 12 months for age 21+; 2 convictions in 24 months for under 21).
EXECUTIVE SYNOPSIS · ILLINOIS LEGAL STANDARDS Governing Authority: ILGA & Supreme Court Rules

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/11-502.1 (Unlawful use of medical cannabis in motor vehicle by medical cannabis cardholder) is classified as a Petty Offense. Statutory sentencing scope: No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000. Court appearance is not mandatory (pre-set bond or notice to appear), and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.

Offense Class & Sentencing Scope Petty Offense

No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000

Court Appearance Mandate Release on Notice (No Mandate)

Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.

Pretrial Fairness Act (SAFE-T Act) Presumptive Pretrial Release

Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

Secretary of State License Sanction SOS Administrative Action

Moving Violation (Point Assessment & Suspension Counter) · Conviction counts toward Illinois SOS license suspension threshold (3 convictions in 12 months for age 21+; 2 convictions in 24 months for under 21).

Classification Petty Offense
Court Appearance Pre-set Bond / Release on Notice
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code None Assigned

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (3)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Unlawful use of medical cannabis in motor vehicle by medical cannabis cardholder 625 ILCS 5/11-502.1(a) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/11-502.1(a) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->
Possession of medical cannabis in motor vehicle outside approved container by cardholder (driver) 625 ILCS 5/11-502.1(b) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/11-502.1(b) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->
Possession of medical cannabis in motor vehicle outside approved container by cardholder (passenger) 625 ILCS 5/11-502.1(b) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/11-502.1(b) -> Petty Offense Release on Notice Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 11-502.1. Possession of medical cannabis in a motor vehicle.

(a)

(a) No driver, who is a medical cannabis cardholder, may use medical cannabis within the passenger area of any motor vehicle upon a highway in this State.

(b)

(b) No driver, who is a medical cannabis cardholder, a medical cannabis designated caregiver, medical cannabis cultivation center agent, or dispensing organization agent may possess medical cannabis within any area of any motor vehicle upon a highway in this State except in a secured, sealed or resealable, odor-proof, and child-resistant medical cannabis container that is inaccessible, unless subsection (e) of Section 15-85 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act applies.

(c)

(c) No passenger, who is a medical cannabis card holder, a medical cannabis designated caregiver, or medical cannabis dispensing organization agent may possess medical cannabis within any passenger area of any motor vehicle upon a highway in this State except in a secured, sealed or resealable, odor-proof, and child-resistant medical cannabis container that is inaccessible, unless subsection (e) of Section 15-85 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act applies.

(d)

(d) Any person who violates subsections (a) through (c) of this Section:

(1)

(1) commits a Class A misdemeanor;

(2)

(2) shall be subject to revocation of his or her medical cannabis card for a period of 2 years from the end of the sentence imposed; and (3) shall be subject to revocation of his or her status as a medical cannabis caregiver, medical cannabis cultivation center agent, or medical cannabis dispensing organization agent for a period of 2 years from the end of the sentence imposed. (Source: P.A. 104-463, eff. 6-12-26.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/11-502.1 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/11-502.1 (Unlawful use of medical cannabis in motor vehicle by medical cannabis cardholder) is classified as a Petty Offense.

Sentencing Scope: No incarceration authorized · Fine up to $1,000

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/11-502.1 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?

No Mandatory Court Appearance (Pre-Set Bond / Notice to Appear): Personal appearance is not mandatory under Rule 551 by default. The citation may be satisfied by written appearance, pre-set administrative payment, or mail-in notice unless aggravated circumstances apply.

Is an individual accused of 625 ILCS 5/11-502.1 detainable before trial under the SAFE-T Act?

Presumptive Pretrial Release: Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.

What Secretary of State driver's license sanctions apply to 625 ILCS 5/11-502.1?

SOS Administrative Action: Moving Violation (Point Assessment & Suspension Counter) · Conviction counts toward Illinois SOS license suspension threshold (3 convictions in 12 months for age 21+; 2 convictions in 24 months for under 21).

Official Legal Citation Formats

Legal & Academic Reference

Standardized legal citations for briefs, court pleadings, law enforcement documentation, and academic research.

Illinois Supreme Court Citation 625 ILCS 5/11-502.1 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/11-502.1 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-11-502.1
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes