SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WIFR) – Illinois State Police found unlawful possession of cannabis in a vehicle more than 550 times in fiscal year 2024.

New legislation could make it more difficult for law enforcement to regulate cannabis on the roads.

The bill, which passed in the Senate Thursday, says the smell of raw or burnt cannabis isn’t a valid enough reason for law enforcement to search a vehicle or detain drivers older than 21 years old.

Historically, if an officer is suspicious of a driver smoking cannabis because of a smell, they would be able to search the vehicle. New legislation in Springfield would prevent this.

DeKalb Police Chief David Byrd does not agree with this bill.

“Our job is to provide public safety and this directly goes against that,” said Chief Byrd. “Every motorist should be of sound, mind and body. One of the biggest causes of some of our major accidents are from motorists under the influence.”

Illinois State Police in fiscal year 2024 had more than 15 crashes involving cannabis, eight offenses of DUI with cannabis and more than 400 offenses with a DUI combined with some form of this drug.

Byrd said this bill takes away their ability to hold drivers accountable while behind the wheel.

“We want to make sure we adhere to the rules in place, but public safety is paramount,” said Chief Byrd.

Cherry Valley Police Chief Todd Stockburger is also not on board with DS42.

“There’s times where a person may not know their thresholds, which leads into overall safety concerns with other motorists, officers,” said Chief Stockburger.

Stockburger said his officers have pulled people over who had cannabis on them. He said these searches could lead to the discovery of other crimes.

“It’s ever present. It’s something law enforcement needs to be mindful of because you never know when it’s going to occur,” said Chief Stockburger.

State Senator Steve Stadelman is one of 33 lawmakers who voted in favor of this bill. Dave Syverson is one of 20 in the senate who did not approve of this legislation.

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