Chicago Police Board suspends officer 90 days in cannabis-use disciplinary case

The Chicago Police Board on July 17 voted unanimously to find Officer Marshall Andrews Jr. guilty of using cannabis in violation of Chicago Police Department rules and to suspend him without pay for 90 days. President Kyle Cooper asked for the motion and recorded eight 'aye' votes; Cooper announced, "The motion passes by a vote of 8 to 0."

Cooper read the board's written decision and placed the disciplinary outcome in the context of Illinois law, noting that "medical and recreational use of cannabis is now permitted by Illinois law" and that "officers who use cannabis are no longer violating a law they swore to uphold," while adding that CPD policy continues to prohibit cannabis use and "officers who violate this policy are subject to significant discipline up to including discharge." The board said it will continue to decide discipline on a case-by-case basis.

The board then moved to adopt the draft written findings and decision; the motion was seconded and approved, and Cooper said the findings will be entered as of the meeting date, sent to the parties, and posted on the Police Board website. The case was identified in the meeting as case number 24PB3042.