CHAPTER 11 - RULES OF THE ROAD

625 ILCS 5/11-502.15

Sec. 11-502.15. Possession of adult use cannabis in a motor vehicle.

Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/11-502.15
Offense Description
Illegal transportation or possession of adult use cannabis in a motor vehicle – driver
Offense Classification
Class A Misdemeanor
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.
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 5/11-502.15 (Illegal transportation or possession of adult use cannabis in a motor vehicle – driver) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor. Statutory sentencing scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500. Court appearance is mandatory under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.

Offense Class & Sentencing Scope Class A Misdemeanor

Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Court Appearance Mandate Rule 551 Mandatory Court

Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

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 Class A Misdemeanor
Court Appearance Mandatory Court Appearance (Rule 551)
SAFE-T Act Detention Release Eligible (Conditions Apply)
SOS Reporting Code None Assigned
Search in Live Workstation ➔ Official ILGA Statute (ilga.gov) ->

Associated Offense Codes & Classifications (3)

Offense Description Class Court Mandate SAFE-T Act Reporting Code Official ILGA
Illegal transportation or possession of adult use cannabis in a motor vehicle – driver 625 ILCS 5/11-502.15(b) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/11-502.15(b) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->
Illegal transportation or possession of adult use cannabis in a motor vehicle – passenger 625 ILCS 5/11-502.15(c) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/11-502.15(c) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->
Unlawful use of adult use cannabis in a motor vehicle – driver 625 ILCS 5/11-502.15(a) Official ILGA · 625 ILCS 5/11-502.15(a) -> Class A Misdemeanor Rule 551 Mandate Release Eligible — ILGA.gov ->

Illinois General Assembly Statutory Text (Verbatim)

Source: ilga.gov ->

Sec. 11-502.15. Possession of adult use cannabis in a motor vehicle.

(a)

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

(b)

(b) No driver may possess cannabis within any area of any motor vehicle upon a highway in this State except in a secured, sealed or resealable, odor-proof, child-resistant cannabis container that is inaccessible.

(c)

(c) No passenger may possess cannabis within any passenger area of any motor vehicle upon a highway in this State except in a secured, sealed or resealable, odor-proof, child-resistant cannabis container that is inaccessible.

(d)

(d) Any person who knowingly violates subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this Section commits a Class A misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 101-27, eff. 6-25-19; 102-98, eff. 7-15-21.)

Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis

Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/11-502.15 in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/11-502.15 (Illegal transportation or possession of adult use cannabis in a motor vehicle – driver) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor.

Sentencing Scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500

Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/11-502.15 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?

Mandatory Personal Appearance Required: Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.

Is an individual accused of 625 ILCS 5/11-502.15 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 5/11-502.15?

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 5/11-502.15 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.) 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/11-502.15 (2026)
Canonical Web Reference https://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-11-502.15
Cross-Referenced ILCS Codes
625 ILCS 5/11-501
Rule 551

Alcohol concentration in blood or breath is 0.08 or more ((a)(1) requires a chemical test)

Class A Misdemeanor
625 ILCS 5/11-502

Illegal transportation or possession of alcoholic liquor – driver

Petty Offense
625 ILCS 5/11-502.1

Unlawful use of medical cannabis in motor vehicle by medical cannabis cardholder

Petty Offense
625 ILCS 5/11-503
Rule 551

Reckless driving – Class A misdemeanor

Class A Misdemeanor