The last gasp of opposition
Wednesday, Mar 6, 2019 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Oh, Marty…
A suburban lawmaker is receiving bipartisan support to put the brakes on fellow Democrats’ and Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s push to legalize recreational marijuana in Illinois.
“The people of Illinois are going to be safer when it’s legalized,” the new Democratic governor told the Daily Herald’s editorial board Monday.
Democrat Marty Moylan of Des Plaines disagrees, and so do 34 lawmakers in both parties co-sponsoring his House Resolution 157 to slow the process.
Moylan and legalization opponents including the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police will participate in a rally against the proposed law Wednesday at the Capitol in Springfield.
“The more information you have about this bill, the more people are against it,” Moylan said, adding that he is worried about a spike in impaired driving. […]
Asked about preventing “driving while stoned” crashes, Pritzker said those are “happening now. If nothing changes, it’s still happening now.” He noted that researchers are developing products similar to a Breathylzer that police can use to test for marijuana.
Wake me when he gets to 59 total co-sponsors. Without that, this is yet another publicity stunt from a publicity stunt master.
* Speaking of publicity stunts, there he is today…
* Meanwhile, a columnist who apparently can’t pick up a phone and doesn’t come to Springfield says he somehow has a “sense” for why the legalization bill hasn’t yet been introduced…
My sense is three problems are gumming up the works and that lawmakers are no longer as confident of passage since the confetti was swept up after Pritzker’s victory party.
The first obstacle is the federal government. Donald Trump is a teetotaler and seems in no rush to undo federal restrictions on interstate transport or on banking laws that permit the deposit of cannabis proceeds.
Complicating matters is a new attorney general; more than three months passed between Jeff Sessions’ departure and William Barr’s confirmation, which undoubtedly left Illinois lawmakers waiting to see what position the Department of Justice would take on state’s rights.
The second is the number of states that have already enacted legalized cannabis. Heading into 2019, it seemed as if Illinois would simply climb aboard the pot train and join in the swelling number of states to put it on the books. It appears now lawmakers in Springfield have looked closely at states that have enacted and discovered myriad complications such as whether legalization supersedes no-smoking rules such as hotels. Legalization may have been popular, but it’s been anything but seamless.
Last but not least has been pushback from law enforcement. Police and sheriff’s associations were rightly concerned about how to reconcile legalized cannabis with keeping the roads safe from impaired motorists. The lack of comprehensive legislation suggests lawmakers are, to their credit, taking such concerns seriously.
Where to even begin with this gigantic “traffic jam of uninformed drivel” (as one co-sponsor called the column today)?
The president has always been an issue and former AG Sessions wasn’t exactly pro-legalization, either. Lawmakers have been working on this for almost two years, and there is more support in the GA than in past years. Four years ago, Moylan’s resolution would’ve had maybe 70 co-sponsors and Speaker Madigan’s staff would’ve been helping Marty collect even more. These days, Madigan supports legalization. And law enforcement has been pushing back forever.
One reason they haven’t introduced language yet is they’re still negotiating the bill and working out details. Also, there’s the issue of the lack of involvement by the governor. The sponsors are unwilling to move forward until they get some things worked out with the 2nd Floor. Pritzker says he’s all for it, but it’s time he puts his effort where his mouth is.
- Kentucky Bluegrass x Featherbed Bent x Northern California Sinsemilla - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 2:26 pm:
I sure hope there is a “to” on that sign behind him.
- the Edge - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 2:30 pm:
JB, let’s go!!
- Jimbo2 - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 2:30 pm:
I keep wondering what the liquor and tobacco are doing? Legalization of pot should hurt the sales for both groups.
- Al - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 2:36 pm:
So are these concerned legislators concerned about traffic safety proposing legislation to change the BAC to .05 as recommended in 2006 by the Traffic Safety Board? No, uh okay.
- lakeside - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 2:39 pm:
Since there’s no punctuation, I’m just trying all the line reading variations in my office. Great sign.
- dithering - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 2:41 pm:
really do need some time to come up with a practical rationale to explain why gov’t is restricting tobacco while at the same time expanding marijuana…
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 2:44 pm:
–I keep wondering what the liquor and tobacco are doing? Legalization of pot should hurt the sales for both groups.–
Why’s that? Do legal alcohol and legal tobacco sales cannibalize each other?
–legalization opponents including the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police–
Love that civil asset forfeiture. Big scores and sweet rides for the taking if you find weed in the right wheels.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 2:47 pm:
===“traffic jam of uninformed drivel”===
Does he realize he has the same name as one of my favorite cocktails?
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 2:51 pm:
When this is all said and done, I really hope a dispensary names a strain “Marty Moylan.”
- danray - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 2:55 pm:
@michelle flaherty
It would need to be a hybrid strain!
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 2:56 pm:
I counted 12 House Democrats in opposition to a quick passage of legalization. That’s cutting it close. I guess it’s okay for these Democrats that the black market gets 100% sales revenue, and that so much money fuels street gangs and violence, which disproportionately hurts low income communities. Pretty pathetic of them to want to keep the catastrophe going that is marijuana prohibition.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 2:57 pm:
===That’s cutting it close===
This is gonna be a bipartisan roll call.
- Rabid - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 3:07 pm:
Marijanna-Impaired driving report to congress, July 2017. Page eleven “It does not show a relationship between thc levels and impairment”
- Joe M - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 3:08 pm:
==I keep wondering what the liquor and tobacco are doing? Legalization of pot should hurt the sales for both groups.==
Most people follow the old advice, that to avoid too bad of a hangover, whatever vice you are partaking in, stick only with that for the whole evening. That is why if I am doing beer, wine, whiskey and pot, I stick with that for the whole evening. So no, I don’t think legal pot will hurt sales of the other vices.
- A guy - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 3:14 pm:
== I really hope a dispensary names a strain “Marty Moylan.”==
With a strong warning that paranoia is an almost certain side effect.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 3:15 pm:
I don’t believe Illinois will legalize marijuana.
I will believe it when I go to my basement and check on my legal and Not Secret garden…then… and only then will marijuana be legal.
I really hope I live long enough to see the end of marijuana prohibition.
Time will tell.
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 3:16 pm:
===I keep wondering what the liquor and tobacco are doing? Legalization of pot should hurt the sales for both groups.===
Why? Not everyone who likes booze and tobacco likes pot.
- Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 3:19 pm:
A bag of “Moylan” is what dispensaries would set aside for kids trying to buy with Fake IDs.
It’s a mix of ditchweed and lawn clippings that you can huff and puff on but get nothing out of.
Just like its namesake.
- PublicServant - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 3:27 pm:
Does anyone know whether the governor is stuck in the bathroom, or something? He’s had problems with toilets before, so I wonder. Where is he? Where are his legislative liasons. This is just the latest example of him being AWOL. I’m starting to get worried here. Should I be? Willy? Word?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 3:30 pm:
I certainly appreciate the humor around pot…but… chronic pain patients or those suffering from cancer have another perspective around medical marijuana.
I am a chronic pain patient who takes no pharmaceutical pain meds…despite having medical access to all of them.
In my case,I am certain medical marijuana is a life saving therapy…no joke.
No Physicians/Hospitals in my area (Central Illinois) will certify qualifying patients…one of the most troubling failures of all.
- The Dude Abides - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 3:36 pm:
“really do need some time to come up with a practical rationale to explain why gov’t is restricting tobacco while at the same time expanding marijuana… ”
In response to this I would say that your average pot smoker might smoke one or two joints a day at most as opposed to your average cigarette smoker smoking 10-20 smokes a day. Who is doing more damage to their lungs?
Also what habit breaks up more families, usage of alcohol or marijuana? For the record I gave up smoking entirely many years ago and have no intention of starting again. I do enjoy alcohol in moderate quantities on occasion.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 3:44 pm:
“I am a chronic pain patient”
Expanding MMJ to cover chronic pain that has or could call for opioid use is a godsend. Opioids are horrible. Even OTC pain relievers can be bad on the stomach if too many are taken, I found, so I almost never take those anymore.
The medical card really helps, and MMJ does relieve pain.
- Collinsville Kevin - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 3:59 pm:
Kick the can down the road, repeat. Kick the can down the road, repeat. Let’s try to beat Mississippi to legalization.
- Enemy of the State - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 4:21 pm:
I guess my hoard of Zig Zag paper just decreased in value.
- Illinois Resident - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 4:23 pm:
It’s amazing the ignorance and hypocrisy some people show regarding cannabis legalization. Good thing they are outnumbered by a large margin. Looking forward to freedom in our state on this important issue.
- don the legend - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 4:40 pm:
Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs just like to drink and drive. They don’t smoke and drive.
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 4:43 pm:
If that NewsTrib reporter is so interested in the Statehouse, he should move to Springfield during session and cover it from here. Golly.
- Jocko - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 4:50 pm:
==The more information you have about this bill, the more people are against it==
Other than yourself and the IACP, who are these ‘people’ you’re referring to? Are these the same old ladies who kept telling Bruce to “Hang in there”?
- James - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 5:19 pm:
Used to be NORML supporters were the ragged happy minority rallying for legalization. Now the police are the angry straight-laced minority rallying for the status quo. As for smokeables, public preference has changed dramatically in the last couple decades, pro pot and anti tobacco. Persuasion is still possible.
- Cheryl44 - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 5:36 pm:
I’m sure Rivers Casino is good for the kids too.
- Mama - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 6:41 pm:
Legalizing recreational marijuana in Illinois will not stop gangs or gang wars since there are a lot of other illegal drugs for them to sell.
- Biker - Wednesday, Mar 6, 19 @ 7:17 pm:
Mama, if you can save one life… https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170215/woodlawn/takiya-holmes-shooting-death-antwan-jones-charges-murder/
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 6:27 am:
==Police and sheriff’s associations were rightly concerned about how to reconcile legalized cannabis with keeping the roads safe from impaired motorists.==
Lamest argument ever.
After marijuana is legalized for adults there will be four groups of these adults.
1.People who can have any type of regard for the law and who don’t like marijuana and will never consume it.
2. People who do not obey any laws and consume marijuana and drive impaired.
3. People who consume marijuana but choose to not drive impaired. They like to pick and choose the laws they obey.
4. People who would like to consume marijuana but are so law abiding they will wait until it is legal.
If marijuana is made legal it will have no impact on the behavior of the 1 2 and 3. It will only impact 4. Why would people who obey laws suddenly break a law?
- Rabid - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 8:47 am:
The frontline on the war on drugs should embrace the citizen enemy. The 47 year old war is over. Not being afraid causes goodwill. Time to smoke the peace pipe. Have a coming out party with a driving simulator to show the effects of rope
- NorthSideNomore - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 8:59 am:
Buy stock in and stock up on Lays chips soon, beat the rush.