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Madigan says he hasn’t made up his mind on legalizing marijuana

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Illinois

As lawmakers eye the possibility of legalizing recreational marijuana in Illinois, House Speaker Michael Madigan says he hasn’t made up his mind on the issue.

“I haven’t come to a final decision,” he said Monday.

Madigan was asked about the topic shortly after he was elected to a record sixth term as chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Madigan spoke about how the party must be “inclusive” to win elections.

“The issues change from time to time,” he said. “But for American political parties, they have to be aware of what the people want. When American political parties are not aware of that, they usually dissolve.”

* Sun-Times…

Speaking to reporters on Monday after being re-elected to his sixth term as chairman of the state Democratic Party, Madigan noted he expects a “very strong effort” to get marijuana legalized in the Legislature.

“I’m not quite sure when,” Madigan said. “I just think that you’ll see a growth of support.”

Madigan also said that since JB Pritzker supports legalizing marijuana he expects to see a big push on the topic next year if Pritzker is elected.

As far as I know, Pritzker is the first major party gubernatorial nominee to openly and forcefully argue for legalization. That’s probably not mentioned often enough.

* Meanwhile, Gov. Rauner has often used Democratic Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper as an excuse to hold off on legalization here. But Gov. Hickenlooper has evolved from his initial opposition and then skepticism. Here he is in Rolling Stone…

We haven’t seen a big spike in consumption. The only increase in consumption is among senior citizens, which we think is either Baby Boomers coming home to roost or arthritis and the aches and pains of growing older – people finding that marijuana is better pain solution than opioids or other things. […]

Certainly the worst things that we had great fear about – spikes in consumption, kids, people driving while high – we haven’t seen any of that. We saw a little increase in teenagers and that came down within a couple years… We were very worried that by legalizing, we were making this more somehow more psychologically available to kids. We haven’t seen that. If anything, we’ve seen less drug dealers.

Kids can’t buy booze at the grocery store because grocers check IDs. Illegal drug dealers don’t check IDs.

* Related…

* Illinois gets donation of nearly 800,000 vitamin K tablets to treat poisoning from synthetic marijuana

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:06 am

Comments

There’s nothing wrong with our seniors who’ve paid their dues in life to chill back and blaze a few now and again (or vape or eat).

I have hope that Madigan will go along with it if Pritzker gets elected. It looks like he might, if this issue gets big like it should.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:14 am
If legalizing marijuana increases the chances that Democrats will be elected to the Illinois House (it does), then Speaker Madigan will back it.

Comment by Stark Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:16 am
“Madigan hasn’t made up his mind…” Really, shouldn’t be a big surprise there. He is 76 years old, a product of “reefer madness” and such. He is only seven years older than me, but actually older than the 60’s hippie, free love, pot generation; in other words, he has not been a part of the population that doesn’t think that pot isn’t that big of a deal. Sounds like he has on open mind; sooner or later I think that common sense, (economically scientifically, and politically) will set in, and he will favor of it.
One thing though, like concealed carry, expect some pretty stringent regulations to go with his support…

Comment by downstate commissioner Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:17 am
Colorado traffic fatalities have spiked since legalized recreation pot sales started - no direct evidence - but a very strong correlation exist between the two..

https://www.denverpost.com/2017/08/25/colorado-marijuana-traffic-fatalities/

Comment by Texas Red Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:18 am
Madigan will be moved by his caucus, so my guess is that he’ll be on board for legalization.

There’s a reason why in the same session the guy could push over the goal line same-sex marriage and a conceal-carry bill that went far beyond what the courts required.

That’s hardly the sign of an ideologue. Both measures were important to his caucus; same-sex marriage had nearly unanimous support, while a “shall issue” conceal-carry bill with no home-rule exemptions was critical to Downstate Dems.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:20 am
From what I gather, Gov Junk doesn’t read Rolling Stone.

Comment by Big Joe Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:21 am
=== but a very strong correlation exist between the two===

Fake news. Your link even says no correlation can be proved. Now, read this: https://coloradopolitics.com/marijuana-legalization-has-not-increased-traffic-fatalities/

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:29 am
Already have framework and production facilities in place via medmar. Why not expand into recreational use.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:32 am
Texas Red thinks we should lock people in cages because some can’t drive?

What if we made alcohol illegal for this reason?

Pretty sure alcohol is worse than pot for driving.

Even texting is likely worse.

Comment by 33rd Ward Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:37 am
–no direct evidence - but a very strong correlation exist between the two..–

LOL, dude what are you smoking? How do you have a “strong correlation” without “direct evidence?”

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:39 am
Colorado traffic fatalities have spiked since the Encyclopædia Britannica discontinued its print edition.

Comment by Bigtwich Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:41 am
“The issues change from time to time,” he said. “But for American political parties, they have to be aware of what the people want. When American political parties are not aware of that, they usually dissolve.”

And that, my friends is why I oppose issues favored by bipartisan majorities but hurt my political special interests like fair maps, term limits, workers comp reform, property tax reform, government consolidation etc.

With kindest personal regards, I remain, sincerely, Mike.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:42 am
Parties “have to be aware of what people want”

Wise words.

Comment by What's in a name? Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:44 am
“As far as I know, Pritzker is the first major party gubernatorial nominee to openly and forcefully argue for legalization“

Phil Murphy in NJ and Jay Inslee in WA have both won recently after being supportive of adult use cannabis laws. Add in the relatively few races in 2016 and an early Illinois 2018 primary relative to other states and it’s been awhile since there have been a lot of races in supportive states. We’ll start to see more as the year goes on and more primaries get decided.

It’s probably true that we haven’t had a major party candidate as forcefully in favor to this point, though.

Comment by Ali Nagib Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:49 am
For madigan, among others, politics is the accumulation and use of advantage under conditions of scarcity and change. He will send it along when he can maximize his advantage.

I just hope they dont screw it up like med mar, w costly over regulation.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:52 am
Ali, I meant Illinois.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:55 am
The wait and see stall tactic is a bad idea. For Illinois to capitalize on legalization we need to be first in the Midwest. A few years head start before our neighbors can go a long way. The benefits have been proven and the public support is there. It can and should be done sooner, not later.

Comment by Casual observer Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 11:04 am
Please do it quickly so we can start collecting hundreds of millions in tax revenue.

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 11:11 am
This effort could benefit here if we’d change a figure of speech from:

What are you Smoking?

To:

What are you Drinking?

The latter is demonstrably worse.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 11:30 am
You mean you don’t know whether or not legalization was openly and forcefully supported by Rauner/Quinn in 2014 or Quinn/Brady in 2010 (etc.)? Or is there a Dan Walker joke here I’m missing?

Teasing aside, how many other 2018 Gubernatorial major party nominees across the country are going to publicly support Sen Cory Booker’s Marijuana Justice Act months ahead of their primary like JB did? Probably not zero but definitely not all of them, even among blue-State Democratic nominees.

Comment by Ali Nagib Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 11:37 am
Do it and do it quickly. Let’s have neighboring states come into Illinois to transact business as opposed to the opposite. We were slow to get on board with gambling and Indiana took advantage. We need the cash.

And please don’t over regulate it. As long as under 21 can’t purchase it it’s all good.

Comment by SSL Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 11:44 am
@Texas Red maybe you can change your name to Panama Red? Just kidding.

For something to be correlative there usually has to be some form of evidence. The evidence may not be enough to “prove” the relationship in a legal sense but points in that direction.

You offer none of that.

Approve recreational marijuana and save Illinois some money just in the criminal justice system. Tax it and raise revenue. People will pay extra for a product that they can depend on. Keep it 21 and over, hold violators accountable.

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 11:55 am
I second A Guy’s motion.

Comment by Homer J. Quinn Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 12:07 pm
Am I the only person left around here that thinks smoking weed is a bad idea? The normalization of the consumption of a product that when smoked delivers as many cancer causing chemicals as cigarettes is a public health hazard. Before you ask..mid ban cigarettes too if I had my way. Maybe the cigarette companies could add an ingredient to their product that gets a person high…then they would have all the politicos on their side again.

Comment by Saluki Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 12:18 pm
My take is Madigan doesn’t want to risk losing the governor’s race by getting out in front on legalization. It is still just controversial enough to lose JB and legislators some votes, and it would be another talking point for the next 7 months of Rauner ads. First things first–Rauner must go, so he gets nothing that might conceivably help him.

Comment by James Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 12:20 pm
saluki: I also think smoking is bad, which is why vaporizers exist.

Comment by Homer J. Quinn Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 12:24 pm
===so he gets nothing that might conceivably help him===

Considering how wildly unpopular he is, signing that very popular bill would likely help the governor.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 12:24 pm
===when smoked delivers as many cancer causing chemicals as cigarettes is a public health hazard===

How many times do you have to be told about vaporizers and edibles?

Either listen or leave.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 12:25 pm
Saluki, I don’t know a single person in real life (not silly pols) against pot legalization. I thought you were joking when I first read your comments opposed to it.

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 12:30 pm
Saluki: it’s not about getting high. Many seniors take CDB only (no THC) edibles for relief. For many, the MedMar approval process in Illinois is setup to be obstructive and therefore a non-starter.

Comment by Casual observer Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 12:33 pm
I’m just going to leave this here:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/e-cigs-and-second-hand-vaping/

Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 12:34 pm
Rauner would get himself back in the race if he pushes for this.

Not sure why this issue isn’t front and center on Rauner’s radar. I’m not even sure I’ve read *why* Rauner is opposed — except for some amorphous, meaningless “let other states experiment” stuff.

I’d wager big bucks that Rauner himself can’t articulate why he’s opposed — except that it polls badly for some wealthy, 1% demographic that he’s courting.

Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 12:56 pm
Rauner is opposed because the vast majority of Republicans in the legislature is opposed.

Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 1:48 pm
I’m with Saluki. Does anyone have teenagers? You make marijuana legal, you make it acceptable, and studies show that marijuana use among teenagers is dangerous to their developing brains. And trust me, their brains need all the help they can get. It’ll be much easier to get because it’s legal. I don’t care that there will be age restrictions. That doesn’t stop underage drinking or vaping. If it is proven to have medical uses, then medical marijuana is fine, but making it legal for the general population? Bad road to go down.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 1:51 pm
=== I’d ban cigarettes too if I had my way. ===

Consider that tobacco is legal, yet smoking is steadly becoming less social acceptable, and the smoking rate is declining. This demonstrates that the right kind of legalization can be compatible with public health — if the regulations prioritize public health above revenues and profits.

Comment by anon2 Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 1:51 pm
I do not agree with the man that you are ridiculing but this is inane:

– How do you have a “strong correlation” without “direct evidence?” –

That is by definition what a statistician like myself does on a regular basis … especially with our financial data.

Are you ever correct when you make fun of people? Since the answer is “no” you may want $%^*_

Comment by I Miss Bentohs Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 1:59 pm
hurry up and decide Mike. it’s only been 50 years since 1968. jeez.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 2:21 pm
The medical cannabis program was heralded as one of the most restrictive in the country. Why we are proud of making access to a natural non-toxic medicine restrictive is troubling to me. The amount of resistance to allow adults to grow and consume that same plant material whether ill or not is even more troubling. Legalization brings regulation however it doesn’t prevent abuse, misuse or those who will find other ways to break the law. It does allow quality controls and those are very important for consumers so long as it doesn’t make the prices unaffordable. Illinois will likely have one of the most restrictive adult use cannabis laws in the country which will only benefit the politically connected and wealthy. Unless it aggressively tries to right the wrongs of the War on Drugs Illinois will keep it’s business as usual reputation for over regulating people having a toke, a magical brownie or just a good time.

Comment by frisbee Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 2:37 pm
@Anon:

The medical program in Illinois has not been allowed to work like it should have.

Too many people have died waiting for a card, or to get denied, or have their petition to have a condition added be thrown into limbo by Director Shah that adult use may be the only way some of the sickest and most (unfortunately) eligible people in this state will ever have access.

If you want to be in favor of medical, make sure you’re also in favor of politicians not treating it like a joke.

Comment by Earnest Not Borgnine Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 3:10 pm
==That doesn’t stop underage drinking or vaping.==

And speed limits don’t eliminate all auto accidents, but I still think people ought to be able to drive cars.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 3:58 pm
-– How do you have a “strong correlation” without “direct evidence?” –

That is by definition what a statistician like myself does on a regular basis –

No doubt. Do you watch a video or just use your imagination?

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 4:19 pm
Anon, I take it you didn’t read the excerpt from Rolling Stone where Gov. Hickenlooper discussed that very topic & how there wasn’t a huge increase in teen usage. With legalization for over 21 it could actually make it more difficult for teens to get. The State could also use a portion of pot revenue for a public health ad campaign targeting teens to educate them about marijuana.

Comment by MyTwoCents Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 5:36 pm
MyTwoCents - with all due respect, anyone who thinks that it would make it more difficult for teenagers to get is just wrong. It would be readily available, and therefore easier to get. And you can educate them all you want about marijuana, but it won’t matter. Kids these days get tons of information about alcohol and smoking, yet they still do it. I live in a town where all kids go through the DARE program in middle school, and they get to high school, and whatever they learned goes out the window. They drink, vape and smoke pot. And if it’s easier to get because it’s legal, more will smoke pot. I truly believe that you can educate them as much as you want, but most of them won’t listen. They are teenagers.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 5:48 pm
You can literally get any drug imaginable with a simple phone call or two. Right now.

Comment by Ron Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:00 pm
I’m 75 years old and I thought movie Reefer Madness was of dumbest things I’d ever seen.

Comment by cc Tuesday, Apr 24, 18 @ 10:24 pm