On April 20, 2015, Cook County State’s Attorney, Anita Alvarez, announced a new policy in the Cook County State’s Attorney office regarding the prosecution of  persons charged with possession of marijuana and related drugs.

Under the new policy, the State’s Attorney’s Office will no longer prosecute most cases of misdemeanor cannabis possession and will divert Class 4 felony cannabis possession and other Class 4 controlled substance offenders to alternative programs, including a newly created drug deferred prosecution program.  This includes cases involving possession of cocaine, heroin and ecstasy, as well as other controlled substances.

However, each new charge will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Additionally, persons with certain criminal backgrounds will not be eligible for the new program.