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Hickenlooper talks about legalizing weed

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When Colorado voted in 2012 to legalize recreational marijuana, Gov. John Hickenlooper was against it.

To do something no other state had, in opposition of federal law, was a daunting task. Fast-forward six years and his perspective has changed.

“The things we most feared — a peak in teenage consumption, a peak in overall consumption, people driving while high — we haven’t seen,” Hickenlooper said Wednesday, speaking at a lunchtime event of the Economic Club of Chicago. “I’m not quite there to say this is a great success, but the old system was awful.” […]

He also recommended putting strict limits on edibles, going as far as restricting in each dose the allotted concentration of THC, the chemical that gets users high. He warned against overtaxing the drug and driving users back to the black market.

* Meanwhile…

J.B. Pritzker says he supports legalizing recreational marijuana in Illinois, but the state of Iowa has no intention of doing the same right now. If Illinois legalizes it in the future, some in the Quad Cities worry about the drug making its way across the river into Iowa.

Illinois and Iowa are only 5 to 10 minute drives from one to the other if you live in or near the Quad Cities, so Scott County Sheriff Tim Lane thinks it is reasonable to assume the drug will make its way to his home state.

Like it’s not there already. Sheesh.

* Tribune editorial…

The case for treating pot like alcohol, with licensed retailers and minimum age requirements, has a good deal of logic behind it. But what’s the hurry?

The hurry is people like me have been waiting for this moment all of their adult lives. But, either way, it’s not like a bill is gonna pass in a day. This is too new for that to happen. If the process is indeed too rushed, then say something. Otherwise, sit down, Tribune.

* The Tribune also trots out this super-cynical take…

For politicians, the chief appeals of allowing the legal sale and possession of cannabis for mere enjoyment is that (a) it would bring in revenue from taxes and fees, and (b) it would please an energetic constituency.

How about (c) it’s the right thing to do because it puts illegal drug cartels out of business, and (d) will create legitimate jobs where they do not currently exist? Just stop it, already.

* And Bruce Rushton wants to give Secretary of State Jesse White the responsibility of legalizing marijuana because his office does such a good job with drivers licenses…

Jesse White, master that he is in issuing driver’s licenses and plates at light speed, surely can do better than the legislature. For one thing, folks seem to trust him. For another, he understands customer service. He knows how to collect money. And he also, likely, wouldn’t want the job, given that he’s said he opposes recreational pot, which is all the more reason to appoint him state marijuana czar – never let someone who says they want to be a drug dealer become a drug dealer. So, let’s just hand it over to White and let him figure out the details. We could all be stoned by the Fourth of July, and that wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.

Heh.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 1:44 pm

Comments

Best talk to those who actually live in Colorado they tell quite a different story.

Comment by Yep Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 1:46 pm
Illinois should clearly and honestly define how much revenue would likely be generated and what that money would be used for. That may help some of the fence sitters to jump on the bandwagon.

Comment by Stones Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 1:50 pm
“Best talk to those who actually live in Colorado they tell quite a different story.”

I’m curious — where do YOU think the Governor of Colorado lives?

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 1:51 pm
@misterjayem - I should have clarified, non politicians. I’ve spoke to many folks from there who tell a very different story but do your own research.

Comment by Yep Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 1:54 pm
===I’ve spoke to many folks===

Governor? Is that you?

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 1:56 pm
I doubt Illinois can raise the $700 million to $1B in taxes that JB was quoted as having said, but whatever the amount is, do it. We need the dues.

Comment by SSL Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 1:56 pm
Dear Tribune, the hurry is that it is a more mellow buzz, and not only can we use the money from legal sales, but regulation makes it safer. Also, I really need it today as I’ve had a bad day, and until it is legal, no mellow buzz for me.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 1:57 pm
“….it would please an energetic constituency.” With the good stuff, ‘energetic’ wouldn’t be the right description.

Comment by Matts Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:00 pm
Rich you caught me 😳😂

Comment by Yep Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:00 pm
I also hope that the regulations allow Illinois small farmers to grow it. I really don’t want Phillip Morris etc pricing small farmers out of being able to get a permit to grow.
Think of what that could do for southern illinois farmers.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:02 pm
I’m clearly in the minority on this blog in thinking that people walking around in a “mellow buzz” isn’t exactly what I’m looking for in my fellow Illinoisans. Is there no impairment whatsoever when people have this “mellow buzz?”

Comment by Hysteria Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:04 pm
As a true never used and never expect to use, outside of possible medical use, I don’t care. But as a taxpayer and resident of Illinois it’s a futile effort to stop this. it’s being used by thousands (tens of thousands?) regularly and no amount of laws have stopped or will stop it. Get the lead out Illinois politicians and change the law. Put the criminals out of business and bring in some tax revenue. Seems easy enough.

Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:06 pm
Hand recreational pot to the medmar folks. They already have the regulation and distribution systems in place. The expansion of the program to permit recreational pot ought to be easy.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:07 pm
I’ve spoken to many Colorado residents (from as far south as Colorado Springs and as far north as Ft. Collins) and most are pretty positive about legalization. Some of that is due to tourism, which could be less of a benefit as more states legalize.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:08 pm
As an aside, Illinois license offices are staffed by public State employees. Missouri contracts out their services at 10 dollars an hour. Service quality reflects these differences.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:09 pm
Regulate and Tax weed but the drug cartels are still going to be there. Opioids trafficking are where the money and gang activity thrive.

Comment by theCardinal Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:09 pm
Hysteria—
What do you call people walking around mellow buzzed on their legal Xanax and painkiller opioids?

Comment by Baloneymous Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:09 pm
Allowing people to buy it from a licensed dispensary and pay taxes on it is great and I hope that happens. But I also want to be allowed to grow 1-3 plants in my own home for personal use. If I can brew beer for myself, I should be allowed to grow my own plants.

www.colorado.gov/pacific/marijuana/home-grow-laws

In Colorado, up to 6 plants per Colorado resident over 21 w/ max of 12 per house, must be kept indoors, and cannot be sold.

Comment by Botany Boom Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:15 pm
It’s ridiculous that many who want to stop responsible adults from legally buying something less harmful than alcohol want few or no restrictions on lethal gun and ammo sales.

I’ve done a lot of anecdotal research in legal states and haven’t seen problems that should stop us from legalizing marijuana in Illinois. We have other states to study and incorporate what works best. Let’s finally end the reefer madness.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:15 pm
==Best talk to those who actually live in Colorado they tell quite a different story.==

Those folks just had an election between an enthusiastic supporter of legalization and someone who was pretty skeptical and the fan won.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:19 pm
There are reports from Canada that within an hour of their recreational pot law going into effect, a someone was ticketed for driving under the influence.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:21 pm
Hickenlooper. I never knew John’s last name.

Comment by Groucho Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:23 pm
Huh, I’d imagine an hour before it went into effect someone was ticketed for the same thing. Probably another for driving drunk.

Use your head for a change.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:24 pm
@Huh?
People get DUIs for alcohol every day, and yet somehow I don’t see folks advocating for a return to prohibition.

Comment by Actual Red Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:25 pm
==There are reports from Canada that within an hour of their recreational pot law going into effect, a someone was ticketed for driving under the influence.==

Yes, because just one cannot legally take the wheel while drunk, one cannot legally drive whilst stoned to bajeezus.

Comment by Roadrager Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:26 pm
==There are reports from Canada that within an hour of their recreational pot law going into effect, a someone was ticketed for driving under the influence.==

And probably an hour before the law going in effect too.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:28 pm
Rich et al,

Dont forget (e) it will be less restrictive than current Public Health control, thereby, allowing additional individuals an option for relief from their medical conditions not allowed currently.

Right now, while not impossible to obtain prescribed relief that does not simply mandate opioids or other pharmaceuticals, this would be more available (I hope) and less expensive for those in need.

Comment by LINK Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:29 pm
I call them people who are in pain and need drugs for medical reasons. So if they have a mellow buzz as a result of drugs to treat a medical condition, then so be it. That doesn’t mean the rest of society should be walking around drugged in the same way just because they can.

Comment by Hysteria Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:35 pm
Hickenlooper is smoking it:

https://www.factcheck.org/2016/08/unpacking-pots-impact-in-colorado/

He can’t be a viable prrsidential candidate if he doesn’t cover up the facts. He’s blowing smoke.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:39 pm
How many people have driven under the influence of weed all these decades of prohibition? We’ve had widespread marijuana use without any controls, for decades. Now we have a chance to gain big benefits that weren’t there before, such as criminal justice reform, sales and tax revenue, personal freedom, economic growth, etc.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:41 pm
===That doesn’t mean the rest of society should be walking around drugged in the same way just because they can. ===

Why? Do you want to ban alcohol, too? It’s a “drug.” Why is it that many of the same people who constantly whine about “the government” and “the nanny state” want the government to put people in steel cages for smoking weed?

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:41 pm
Road rage in Illinois will increase tenfold due to stoned people driving UNDER the speed limit.

Comment by Phenomynous Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 2:58 pm
Anon at 2:24

www.cnn.com/2018/10/18/health/canada-legal-pot-ticket-trnd/index.html

Article says driver under influence of pot.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 3:04 pm
Huh, your reasoning abilities are second only to your reading comprehension.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 3:06 pm
Prohibition is the experiment not legalization. “Noble experiment” lasted 13 years and we teach kids in high schools it was a failure. Federal cannabis prohibition has been going on for over 80 years and we don’t teach anyone on how/why we made a plant illegal.

Comment by frisbee Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 3:07 pm
If you’re the kinda guy that doesn’t wanna legalize weed, then you’re not my kinda guy.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 3:09 pm
I agree with ILGOP Sen. Barickman, that legalization priorities should include reducing use in kids and traffic safety. I would like that. It would be great to get a bill with strong or relatively strong bipartisan support.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 3:11 pm
Hysteria—
You went from “mellow buzz” to “drugged”. Not the same in my book.

Comment by Baloneymous Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 3:21 pm
– But what’s the hurry?–

It won’t happen “in a hurry.” But I’m sure the cartel heads and street peddlers would agree with the underlying, foot-dragging sentiment.

Al Capone was a big fan of the Volstead Act, too.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 3:27 pm
I’d like to officially congratulate Drugs for winning the war on drugs.

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 3:28 pm
“Scott County Sheriff Tim Lane thinks it is reasonable to assume the drug will make its way to his home state.” The man is a genius. Of course, there is no devil weed in Scott County today.

Comment by striketoo Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 3:34 pm
If you think the Cartels are going to walk away from a multi million dollar market, you might have already smoked too much.

Comment by Enemy of the State Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 4:40 pm
Baloneymous - Mellow buzz, drugged, same difference in my opinion. They’re both under the influence. I might be wrong, but with the exception of alcoholics, I think people who drink alcohol do it socially or at the end of the day to relax. I don’t think people get up in the morning and say, hmmm, I think I’ll have a beer to give me a buzz to help me get me through my day. It seems to me, however, that people who smoke pot do that. They do it throughout the day to relax or whatever. So I think the use of alcohol and pot is different, the result being that more people will walk around buzzed from pot than from alcohol.

Comment by Hysteria Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 4:43 pm
If adults are responsibly enjoying weed, it’s no one’s darn business. Don’t people have more serious stuff to worry about?

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 4:54 pm
===with the exception of alcoholics,===

==== It seems to me, however, that people who smoke pot do that.====

All use isn’t abuse. Alcohol and cannabis are different, just like people but that doesn’t mean that our laws about their consumption need to be so far apart. Some people smoke reefer in the morning, some people smoke reefer in the afternoon, some people only after sundown and others all day everyday. There are folks who do the same with alcohol. Responsible cannabis consumption is no different than responsible alcohol consumption.

Comment by frisbee Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 4:58 pm
I lived in Colorado and choose to stay away from all substances due to addiction in my family. The “wafting” of pot smokers on to passers by is a trigger for many trying to abstain, so there needs to be laws so that there isn’t rampant smoking on the streets, just as there are laws like that for alcohol.

Comment by Ed Equity Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 5:29 pm
–If you think the Cartels are going to walk away from a multi million dollar market, you might have already smoked too much.–

LOL, is bootleg booze still a big business in the United States? Are they still running numbers games on the South Side?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 6:11 pm
Hysteria, if you don’t like cannabis, don’t partake. A majority of Illinois residents want cannabis legalized. Cannabis is a much safer drug then alcohol.

Comment by Illinois Resident Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 11:27 pm
Cannabis legalization in Illinois clearly is going to happen in 2019. Any predictions on how early in the new year it will be approved? This has been on the table for 2 years now. There is a 6 month implementation process. It could be in place by next fall.

Comment by Illinois Resident Thursday, Nov 15, 18 @ 11:33 pm
You either want to lock people up for their own good, take there children and possession away, or you don’t. The law causes more damage than the use

Comment by Rabid Friday, Nov 16, 18 @ 2:38 am
–Actually bootleg booze and illegal gambling are both thriving in this country, just as illegal pot will not be going away with legalization. You need to get out more…–

“Thriving,” are they?

What would you say is the market share for bootleg booze, since it’s “thriving?” It was 100% during Prohibition — what is it now?

Same with illegal slots and numbers games?

See, when I get out, I can legally buy a lottery ticket, or play slots, or get a drink, at dozens of nearby outlets. Why would I need to do so illegally?

Where do you live that you’re tapping the thriving bootleg hooch market — in a van down by the river?

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Nov 16, 18 @ 8:47 am
Hysteria, you are hysterical.

I come from a family that unfortunately has had many alcoholics. Some who had beer or liquor in hand by breakfast and could not drive by 9. Or worst, would go ahead and drive. Their liver and heart often gave out at too young of an age. Would much rather see weed in their hands all day long. They would still be here today, have a much better quality of life.

Mellow buzz and drugged are certainly not the same thing.

I agree with those who said: 1) Just don’t do it then; 2) You are by far in the minority here and clearly lacking research; and 3) We walk and drive among hundreds actually and legally “drugged up” on painkillers and antidepressants, where they could be using marijuana to sooth those exact same symptoms. And marijuana will not ruin every other organ in their body or cause addiction.

Hysteria, I would probably not lean on 1936 propaganda.

Comment by Millennial Friday, Nov 16, 18 @ 11:41 am