Should proponents of legalizing cannabis in Illinois be worried about Rep. Marty Moylan’s, D-Des Plaines, House resolution?
The resolution, HR157, urges legislators “to slow the process of legalizing recreational marijuana in Illinois.”
Moylan’s resolution now has 60 sponsors and co-sponsors, which is a majority of the House’s 118 members. In theory, anyway, it has enough votes to pass.
One of Moylan’s newest co-sponsors is Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, who has her own, very liberal legalization bill (HB902). Ammons noted last week that her own legislation hasn’t moved (she currently has no co-sponsors) and wants assurances that some concerns are addressed before the main bill starts to advance. Those concerns include a social justice component that would do things like expunge criminal records.
The Chicago chapter of NORML is arguing for things like “social consumption without police harassment.” But public consumption seems somewhat unlikely at this point because of heavy opposition from the police, among others. Without that, however, tourists will have no way of legally smoking or vaping the product because most hotels will likely (if Colorado is any guide) ban its usage.
Frankly, my own opinion is we should be treating cannabis somewhat the same way that we treat other legal and regulated substances. We allow cigar bars, so we should allow at least some licensed weed-smoking establishments. Everybody’s always talking about how we don’t have enough jobs in this state, so create some jobs, already.
Left-leaning groups are also legitimately concerned that the industry will be overrun by rich people and huge corporations, crowding out people who live in poor areas and minorities in general. Big companies are dumping huge amounts of money into this industry. I’m all for people making money, but the wealth needs to be spread around on this one, particularly since the folks living in those neighborhoods have borne the brunt of the misguided and over-zealous “war” on drugs.
Moylan’s resolution has been assigned to the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee. Just one of Moylan’s Democratic co-sponsors (Rockford Rep. Maurice West) sits on that committee. So, it seems unlikely to pass. However, Moylan could press to have the resolution discharged from committee to the House floor, which will require 60 signatures.
Would it pass if it did get to the floor? Well, I do know that at least some Republicans signed on as co-sponsors to send a message to Gov. Pritzker. They didn’t like how the governor steamrolled his minimum wage increase bill through the General Assembly and they want to make extra sure he knows he shouldn’t try to do it again with cannabis. It’s a good point, and one I would echo.
While legalization should not ever be considered any sort of be-all, end-all state fiscal solution, it is an integral part of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget proposal, so you can probably expect Democratic legislative leadership to weigh in on this eventually and quietly slow down the slow-downers.
After years of remaining coy, House Speaker Michael Madigan finally came out for legalization shortly after Pritzker was elected last year. Some even believe that Pritzker’s election convinced Madigan to get with the program.
Rep. Moylan has never made any bones about being a Madigan guy. Well, except for that time during last year’s campaign when he denied taking Madigan’s money when he had. The opposition ran a TV ad last year that included video of Moylan joyfully leading cheers for Madigan at a Springfield event.
Because of that, folks have been wondering ever since Moylan started this quest whether he was “really” doing Madigan some sort of favor. Is he trying, for instance, to force the governor into bending to Madigan somehow?
It’s more likely that Moylan is simply doing what he always likes to do: Get publicity for himself. The man, like many folks in Springfield, is a bit of a media hound. He works very hard at that. And keep in mind that both Chicago newspapers have published editorials this year asking that the process be slowed down, so that’s perfect for him during endorsement time if he picks up another challenger next year. We’ll just have to wait and see if and/or when Madigan ever yanks his chain.
But the whole idea that this process has moved too fast is just ridiculous on its face. Negotiations between legislators and stakeholders began about two years ago. And the governor’s office only began convening meetings a couple of weeks ago.
If people want their issues addressed, they should get themselves to the bargaining table.
Yep. I should’ve just written that.
- wordslinger - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 9:16 am:
==Marijuana supper clubs in Chicago: ‘It’s not … some kind of criminal enterprise going on here. It’s a dinner party.’–
Technically, speakeasies were part of a criminal enterprise during Prohibition. The day after the Volstead Act was repealed, they became your friendly neighborhood tavern.
The dinner-club operator statement is so close to a famous Al Capone quote:
“When I sell liquor, it’s called bootlegging; when my patrons serve it on Lake Shore Drive, it’s called hospitality.”
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 9:20 am:
It’s definitely not going too fast. The bill sponsors have waited for studies and are holding town halls. No final bill has come out yet. Hopefully a good final bill comes out, that satisfies some who have uncertainty.
Right now, and for decades, kids, who the anti’s are worrying about, are buying weed. The business is going 100% to the black market, with no adult purchase only restrictions. The current system is an abysmal failure, and those who want to keep it going are clearly responsible.
- Practical Politics - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 9:20 am:
One factor that has always concerned me is how will the regulators address the potency of marijuana? Some of the stuff available now is stronger. If you purchase hard alcohol, the proof is listed right on the label.
In other debates, one side always claims that the science is settled. I would like to clear up some points before legalization is a done deal. Like what is the objective test for driving an automobile while buzzed? How do you test for someone who is inebriated for mixing marijuana and alcohol during a good buzz? I have not read the bills, so others may have the answers.
Illinois is hard pressed to find revenues, so I think some legalization plan is likely. Various forms of gambling such as horse racing were legalized after decades of debate simply because Illinois needed the money. Marijuana use and sports wagering may be next to be approved.
- Just Observing - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 9:26 am:
=== Without that, however, tourists will have no way of legally smoking or vaping the product because most hotels will likely (if Colorado is any guide) ban its usage. ===
Yea, true that hotels will prohibit it, but no tourist is not not going to consume marijuana just because of a little sign in a hotel room. They may not smoke the flower, but the edibles and vaping leave zero smell or evidence.
- Voice of Reason - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 9:27 am:
I will just say this… People are very upset that something that never should have been illegal in the first place, is being “slowed down”. This push against the will of the people is going to result in opponents of legalization being expunged from office.
- The Cannacrat - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 9:33 am:
Taxes.
We need to make sure that taxes are low enough that the black market can be controlled better. California has shown when taxes are too high, people will still use their “plug”. While I completely understand Illinois needs the income this will bring, let’s make sure we will actually be able to sell product in a taxed and controlled market.
Criminal justice reform.
We live in a wild world. From daily violence in schools, on our streets and in many homes our police officers have bigger problems to deal with than cannabis. While I understand the current cannabis regulation in Illinois and and it’s been a good start, it still wastes the time of our officers/courts, even well over 10 grams. All non violent drug crimes fall into this category. Make room for actual criminals harming others.
Production.
The current licensing keeps starts ups from starting up. Licensing costs for producers needs to be lowered, easier to obtain. Some of the cannabis opponents use “big marijuana” as a way to compare it to tobacco and scare people. If you keep the licensing prices so only millionaires can afford to produce the product, you will(pretty much already there) have big marijuana, and opponents like SAM and Kevin Sabet will be there to say toldja so.
Homegrow
It appears some of the large producers we have in our current med program are trying to limit home grow and plant counts.(See big marijuana). Legalization can only happen if there is a proper home grow program. I have now heard from 5-24 plants. People say to regulate cannabis like alcohol, I would prefer to regulate like tomatoes. As an avid hobby gardener of giant tomato plants, sunflowers and now have a giant cabbage under our belt, I look forward to producing small scale craft cannabis too.(small scale producers licenses should also be made available).
Safety
I know this is a giant one for people, I get it. But it’s a plant. If it wasn’t made illegal thru lies and a racially driven motive, we’d be walking past it everyday, it has the ability grow almost everywhere. From edibles, to road safety to overconsumption concerns, people can get fearful. A market that has child proof packaging for edibles, provides education on dosing and effects is obvious and the guy making your canna cookies down the street isn’t providing that. In the event a child accidentally consumes cannabis, relax, they may be in for a wild ride, but they won’t die. Try that with too many Tylenol’s. As for road safety, I would love to see(many more) actual live road studies, tests and trials. Cannabis consumers are everywhere and frequent users go about their daily activities, including driving, many with zero issues. When people are tested cannabis after an incident, the levels can be misleading due to body type, consumption frequency etc..Nanograms in the system doesn’t exactly mean they are “intoxicated”.
I want to again thank you again for having a discussion on this issue, I wish I could have made it. Cannabis users are already everywhere. At your church, in your schools teaching your children, shopping next to you at the grocery store and even serving and protecting. Let’s get this done already. Free the plant.
- A Jack - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 9:33 am:
I am OK with banning public use. I have smoked in “public” but have always used common sense as to when and where. I recall smoking down on the Riverwalk one Sunday afternoon with my cousin while it was deserted, not even a stray tourist.
But I don’t think everyone has such common sense and that may lead to problems and unfortunate interactions with those that have been misinformed on marijuana.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 9:36 am:
===People are very upset===
I get where you’re coming from, but either use data or speak for yourself here.
- BerryOG - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 9:40 am:
Ridiculous. Wanting to slow down. Just ridiculous. I used to think the argument that it’s a plant so it should be legal is stupid. But now I’m not so sure. It’s a plant that’s not poisonous and isn’t completely mind altering like magic mushrooms or toxic like night shade. The only reason there’s a huge black market for it is because it’s been illegal for so long.
- Moby - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 9:45 am:
I’ve been waiting my whole life for someone to convince me that an ounce of marijuana is any more destructive to society than a 1.75 liter bottle of 100 proof alcohol. I’m still waiting. P.S. I don’t smoke.
- BerryOG - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 9:45 am:
And it’s ridiculous these lawmakers say it decreases motivation and things like that. Same can be said for alcohol and damn opioids. I’m literally a physician with an MD, surgical field. I know many physicians (surgeons and non surgeons, vascular surgeons, general surgeons, surgical oncologists, urologists, ENT physicians, ED physicians) that all use responsibly and are all very high achieving, just like some high achievers use alcohol. I’m sure in other professions that are well respected by the community there are consumers of cannabis. Sigh…
- PJ - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 9:52 am:
==Like what is the objective test for driving an automobile while buzzed?==
We already have a THC blood level threshold on the books for intoxication, so it would stay at that level. Something like 0.05 somethings/something (I’m no scientist). The only reliable test is blood, as far as I’m aware. And it’s overcautious in that it can penalize you when you’re no longer actually intoxicated. But keeping this utterly broken system in place while we wait for science to solve a problem it isn’t allowed to use federal research money to study is bad policy.
- Amalia - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 9:57 am:
Yes. be worried. because the go slow cause i don’t want it movement is meeting with the go slow so we can divide up the profits movement. they both get in the way of progress.
- A guy - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 10:10 am:
The frying pan is hot. Throw the meat in.
- education first - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 10:18 am:
Have you read the “survey” Moylan has asked for “feedback” with? It appears that the writers of “Reefer Madness” had a hand in creating it. Please let’s approach this with intelligence.
- Anonymous - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 10:21 am:
Real question. Will southern Illinois pot growers still feel Chicago is evil when 2/3 of their income is coming from up there? Or will they realize the beneficial economic impact the region provides for the whole state?
- XonXoff - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 10:27 am:
– And it’s ridiculous these lawmakers say it decreases motivation and things like that.–
Much of this argument, when they make it, turns out to be a direct result of prohibition. Many of the fast maturing, bulky, strong, Indica strains that black market growers have flooded the country with since the 80’s are indeed known for a “couchlock” characteristic, which some people want. On the other hand, pure Sativa strains remembered from the seventies can be quite energetic, motivating, creative, and happy. Pure Sativa flowers typically take months longer to mature and they generally produce less flower per plant. As a result, pure Sativas have all but disappeared from black market availability on the street due to growers efficiency efforts to produce more flower weight in a much shorter amount of time. In a regulated dispensary and homegrown model, Sativa’s make a welcome comeback and become an available (premium to some) option again.
- Rabid - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 10:30 am:
Don’t worry be happy, my govenor has my back with an amendatory veto if anyone thinks their cute or clever
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 10:31 am:
Like I said last week, don’t get too worked up about it. This was one of the main priorities of Pritzkers campaign, and he’d look like a doofus if he couldn’t get this passed through a dem majority legislature. Especially a dem super majority that he provided a big chunk of the campaign funding for. Plus the administration is already counting on revenue from this.
JB doesn’t strike me as a “cross me on this and I’ll primary you” type that Rauner was, but it can’t be too far from the minds of these reps and senators that they’re going to need to stay on his good side if they want his financial support over the next few years. At some point he’ll put his weight behind a specific bill (figuratively speaking) and it’ll get done.
- education first - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 10:40 am:
Hey Rabid, this is offensive :when you ride the short bus. My child is developmentally delayed and rides the bus to school. There is no place for this derogatory statement in public discourse.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 10:43 am:
===Hey Rabid, this is offensive===
Thanks for pointing that out. I missed it. Deleted.
- Last Bull Moose - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 10:51 am:
It is possible for supporters of legalization to botch it. They are fighting over the spoils before securing the victory.
My major objective remains breaking the illegal transportation and marketing networks. These same networks distribute and market drugs much worse than marijuana.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 10:59 am:
HR 157 says the process of marijuana legislation should be slowed down to consider all the data. Shouldn’t the bill be amended to say all bills should be slowed down to consider the data? How long does it take to consider the data?
Legislators don’t have time to read the mountains of data? Is there some secret source of data somewhere we need to pry open? It seems marijuana legalized has been debated for decades. At least since 1937.
- 33rd Ward - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 11:33 am:
Typical, Midwest, chicken little, worry-bots doing their typical close-minded, fear-mongering thing.
Look, we can beat other states close to us, but there’s already double-digit legalized states where they’ve decided not to harass people for something they frankly shouldn’t be harassed for in a “free” country.
So let’s quit the complaining. And legalize the stuff already.
Every day we lose money to cartels because somebody from Springfield never touched the stuff but has lots of opinions about it. Do what the people want.
- LetsLegalizeIt - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 11:49 am:
===I get where you’re coming from, but either use data or speak for yourself here. ===
Mr. Miller, you conducted a poll on your website recently as a poll of the day and I believe 77% of the respondents thought things were going just right or too slow. It would make sense that people would be upset, then, if a super majority are clearly in favor of this.
We also need to make sure that we provide adequate growing licenses and smaller licenses, such as “craft” licenses, so that everyone can enter the market. It makes no sense to only allow existing medical cannabis suppliers to grow - as the CEO of one of the bigger ones said, if they can’t survive competition, then they should leave the business. They have the home turf advantage and they’re afraid of a bunch of small time operations? That by itself is peculiar.
Pritzker needs to start working with Cassidy and Steans on this. Last I read, he hadn’t even selected the personnel that he would assign to this project, and that’s why we’re only going to see a bill in late April. That seems too close to the end of the session, in my opinion, but at least it’ll lend credence to the opinion that things aren’t going too slow.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 12:08 pm:
===Mr. Miller, you conducted a poll===
Internet opt-in polls are not data.
- Dotnonymous - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 12:12 pm:
Nanograms in the system doesn’t exactly mean they are “intoxicated”.- Cannacrat
Alcohol is an intoxicant…cannabis is not.
No one can show proof of any toxic effect from consuming cannabis.
It’s a trick…but…not a believable one.
Cannabis should be regulated like cannabis…period.
The right to grow a legal non-toxic plant for personal use must be recognized or this law will fail to reduce the 24/7/365 “people’s market”…A.K.A. Black Market.
Will this forthcoming law represent and reflect the will of voters/consumers?…or…the will of moneyed owners/sellers/legal marijuana dealers?…I often wonder.
- LetsLegalizeIt - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 12:26 pm:
===Internet opt-in polls are not data.===
They’re not rigorous, properly conducted polls, but they sure are data. But since you prefer hard data, weren’t the results of the Cook county ballot item something like 62%? 68%? And national polls put it at 66%. That’s a lot of support, and you’ve hosted articles on your own site that show that people at townhalls are usually in favor.
- SSL - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 1:24 pm:
We can’t afford a slowdown. That promised revenue has already been spent two or three times. Let’s go already.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 1:25 pm:
===promised revenue has already been spent two or three times===
In your mind, maybe, or on the campaign trail last year.
But not this spring.
- Kentucky Bluegrass x Featherbed Bent x Northern California Sinsemilla - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 2:00 pm:
Resolutions are all show and no go. Wake me up when Moylan proposes anything that will create thousands of jobs and bring in potentially hundreds of millions of new tax revenue.
- qualified someone nobody sent - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 2:04 pm:
Marty is my rep. He needs to join the 21st Century or find another line of work. Madigan’s the most unpopular politician in Illinois (OUTSIDE OF HIS DISTRICT) and Marty’s still his boy? I sense a pending retirement in the works because this district isn’t going to stand for his position.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 2:07 pm:
New Jersey just stopped its marijuana legalization vote in its Democratic-controlled legislature, because the votes are not there. Reefer Madness is alive and well with too many politicians. How have these people passed up the last 50 years, where marijuana has been illegal but widespread? It’s time the voters show them the door.
- Unpopular - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 2:14 pm:
Thank you Rep. Moylan for standing up for the health of Illinois.
- heyheyhey - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 2:58 pm:
its going to be interesting to say the least, my guess is this will be well into 2020 If not 2021 before anything actually happens. Gov. Phil Murphy couldn’t get it done, and they (NJ) have been working at it for a while. Much like Pritzker Gov Murphy supported it as well. It doesn’t benefit the governor to do everything he said he was goin to do “nearly right away”. If that was the case it would have already been a done deal.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 4:19 pm:
==Thank you Rep. Moylan for standing up for the health of Illinois.==
Not healthy for everyone, apparently. https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicago-weekend-shootings-march-23-24-2019/
- Southern - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 5:23 pm:
If you ask any Regular Joe Illinoisans, they can’t tell you anything that Pritzker has done. This would be a good start.
I’m guessing the resolution is just a way to give cover to some lawmakers. For goodness sake, Katie Stuart has signed on to it, and she’s a Dem who represents a university town.
- Mcview 420 - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 8:04 pm:
No slowdown. Vote Yes to legalization of recreational marijuana…no more wasting of time Illinois.
- NomChompsky - Monday, Mar 25, 19 @ 9:06 pm:
*I’m guessing the resolution is just a way to give cover to some lawmakers. For goodness sake, Katie Stuart has signed on to it, and she’s a Dem who represents a university town.*
Yep. Because in 2020 at the doors they’re still going to hear a lot of retirees who’ve been told their entire lives that marijuana is a dangerous drug and that they can’t believe the democrats legalized it. And they’re going to need to point to something that shows they tried to resist but ultimately failed.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 5:26 am:
==Because in 2020 at the doors they’re still going to hear a lot of retirees who’ve been told their entire lives that marijuana is a dangerous drug.==
And at other doors the retirees are too stoned to answer the door. Daves’s not here.
- truthteller - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 7:14 am:
lots of special interest money and influence in this mix, until Springfield listens to the people, the fix is in
- Legal - Tuesday, Mar 26, 19 @ 11:31 pm:
I know attorney’s, doctors, judges, police officers, undercover officers - and plenty of other hard working people that smoke it everyday, we share a supply network, that bypasses the black market through a legal state delivery system, and we all want it legal to buy in IL for those over 21, busting someone for weed is the real crime, not possessing it and consuming it in a responsible manner, I started using it to get rid of hangovers from beer and then stopped drinking beer and enjoy toking after work.
- Mcview 420 - Thursday, Mar 28, 19 @ 11:24 am:
What more data do you need? This is just a grandstand for Moylan.No data is going to change in 6 months or a year that hasn’t produced itself in the last 10 years. I don’t understand why any Democrats would sign up for this? None of these so called “Representatives” have done anything for the last 4 years at least. A no vote in my book will translate in voting these obstructionists out of office next election..believe it.