General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSnarkoleptic
(6,002 posts)Snarkoleptic
(6,002 posts)The path forward for Illinois is clear: we need to legalize marijuana. As governor, I am ready to stand with leaders, communities, and families across our state to legalize marijuana and move our state forward.
There is an abundance of evidence that shows we can legalize marijuana in a safe way. It would have real benefits for Illinois, including reducing opioid overdoses and bringing in much needed revenue from taxation.
Most importantly, legalizing marijuana is a step forward in reforming our broken criminal justice system. Criminalizing marijuana hasnt made our communities safer. What it has done is disproportionately impact black and brown communities. There are way too many people who have gone to prison or are currently sitting in prison for marijuana related offenses. The criminalization of marijuana has never been and never will be enforced fairly and its time to bring that to an end.
JB will work to legalize marijuana, reduce mass incarceration, and reinvest in Illinois communities:
Safely legalize and decriminalize marijuana and put in place a framework to license businesses to sell marijuana to consumers for recreational use.
Review and commute the sentences of people incarcerated for marijuana offenses in Illinois. Its time to bring the era of mass incarcerations for minor drug offenses to an end.
Intentionally include black and brown entrepreneurs in the planning and licensing of new marijuana dispensaries. New jobs and businesses must be created in the communities that have experienced the most disinvestment under Bruce Rauner.
Reinvest in communities hit hardest by the war on drugs and the legacy of mass incarceration.
roamer65
(36,749 posts)Good riddance.
lunasun
(21,646 posts)requirements and rules were delayed over the first year after medical mj passed in the state
IL should have been the first legal state in the Midwest with Chicago and the rest of the state enjoying the cash from taxes and recreational tourism distribution grow businesses that legalization could have brought if we didn't get a anti Mj republican governor .
Again elections always have many consequences
Good on Michigan !
roamer65
(36,749 posts)They are losing all of the major state offices.
Soon they will be nearly non-existent like the CA Repuke party.
lunasun
(21,646 posts)And lose gerrymander by repukes too
TeamPooka
(24,342 posts)Kick in to the DU tip jar?
This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.
As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.