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* Op-ed by Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis)…
Marijuana legalization will be particularly destructive for our youth. Recently, more than a dozen children consumed marijuana-laced gummy bears at an elementary school in Ohio. The youngest child treated was just 5 years old. And that follows another incident from late last year when children at a Florida middle school were given similar marijuana-laced gummies from a 12-year-old classmate. […]
Proponents argue that legalizing marijuana is a social justice movement. Illinois recently decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana, which means that those who possess less than 10 grams face a fine similar to a speeding ticket and are not subject to arrest. Decriminalization allows the user of marijuana to avoid a criminal record without the dangerous, unintended consequences of full legalization.
1) Cannabis is currently illegal in Ohio and Florida, so I don’t understand his point.
2) Decriminalization deliberately keeps in place the often violent criminal networks behind its production and distribution. I prefer to stand against that element. Also, under decrim, you can possess pot-laced gummy bears. He’s contradicting himself here.
* Pot growers who want to keep their monopolies decide to pay for study that shows - surprise! - they should keep their monopolies…
Existing growers of Illinois’ medical marijuana crop would be able to meet demand for recreational pot in Illinois for up to four years after legalization, but the state would need more than 400 new dispensaries to handle distribution, according to a study released Tuesday from a group that represents about two dozen state licensed marijuana growers and sellers.
The study contradicts a report released last month that suggested existing growers could meet recreational pot demand for only about two years. That study was commissioned by lawmakers drafting a bill to legalize recreational marijuana, which is a priority for Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
One of the central questions facing lawmakers is how many licenses should be created for growers and sellers of recreational pot. There are 17 companies licensed to grow and 55 dispensaries in this state’s medical marijuana pilot program. […]
The alliance’s study, prepared by the Marijuana Policy Group, a Colorado-based consulting firm, says the earlier projections overestimated the demand by about 200,000 pounds per year and underestimated how much current growers can supply. The new study says the previous report overestimated demand by not accounting for Illinois’ smaller population of heavy marijuana users compared with other states and by counting intrastate travelers when calculating the impact of tourism, among other issues.
* Big money continues pouring into the state…
Grassroots Cannabis raised $90 million to expand its operations in Illinois and across the country, becoming the latest Chicago-based marijuana company to bring in a sizable round of funding.
The money will be used to further develop Grassroots’ cultivation facility in Litchfield, about 210 miles southwest of Chicago, said CEO Mitch Kahn.
Grassroots also plans to expand its cultivation facilities in Maryland and Pennsylvania, states with growing medical cannabis programs, and build dispensaries in other states where the company recently won licenses. The bulk of the funds, though, will be put toward mergers and acquisitions of other cannabis operations, Kahn said. […]
Last week, a company based in Phoenix agreed to pay $850 million for Chicago-based cannabis operator Verano Holdings. Chicago-based Cresco Labs announced Monday that it would pay $120 million for a Florida marijuana company. Last year, national operator MedMen bought Oak Park’s PharmaCann for about $680 million.
* Related…
* Marijuana legalization elsewhere leaves Hoosier employers dazed: “My advice for employees is, don’t use marijuana if you work in Indiana,” she said.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 1:04 pm
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Windhorst appears to be a total magoo. Some had apparently mistaken higher expectations
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 1:25 pm
What’s the point of decriminalization without full legalization? Marijuana is still widely available, and the black market still gets 100% of non-MMJ sales. At this point, just legalize it so we can reap benefits that are unavailable with prohibition.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 1:26 pm
These guys need to read more of the Quincy Herald-Whig.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 1:29 pm
Lots of criticism but would like to see these naysayers propose alternatives to solving budget situation with real dollar values instead of just being negative about every proposal JB makes. Policy institute ? Rep Senators / Reps.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 1:32 pm
It’s also easier to keep out of minors’ hands if it’s legal. I know teenagers find a way to drink, but not all of them and probably not as often as some of them would like.
Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 1:35 pm
Driving legalization is particularly destructive to our youth. When I was a kid, a 12-year-old friend of mine took his dad’s car for a joyride and drove into the ditch, busting his nose on the steering column.
That’s not something proponents of driving legalization like to talk about.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 1:35 pm
The cinnamon challenge and laundry soap packets are more dangerous than marijuana gummy bears.
Yet, neither cinnamon or soap packets are outlawed and wise parents simply keep those items out of the reach of children.
Comment by A Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 1:37 pm
A @ 1:37 was me.
Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 1:38 pm
there should be a trailer bill to the legalization proposal in which lawmakers vote on whether or not any of the revenue generated by state legalization shall be spent within the districts they represent.
I’d love to see Rep. Patrick Windhorst’s vote on that.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 1:50 pm
Rep. Windhorst -
I fully expect you to introduce legislation to de-legalize and return instead decriminalize alcohol and tobacco. /s
Comment by Smitty Irving Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 1:50 pm
“I saw firsthand the destruction illegal drug use can have on families” that’s the problem it’s illegal
Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 2:12 pm
Gosh, I hope Windhorst’s next bill is to move the casino out of Metropolis. We all know the societal ills of having such revenue generated by recreational adulthood.
Comment by Southern_Dawg Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 2:28 pm
Hopefully Rep. Windhorst doesn’t find out that one of the IL cultivators already named a strain for the national forest in his district!
Hundreds of millions of dollars for these companies, if only there was a way to allow more of them to bring more investments to Illinois…
Comment by Kentucky Bluegrass x Featherbed Bent x Northern California Sinsemilla Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 2:32 pm
Companies should only be allowed to sell Marijuana grown in IL. That would help the Illinois farmers.
Comment by Mama Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 5:44 pm
Report: Marijuana is the fastest growing jobs sector in the U.S.
https://www.futurism.com/the-byte/report-marijuana-growing-jobs-sector-us?utm_source=Digest&utm_campaign=8db7bd59d2-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_03_20_06_18&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_03cd0a26cd-8db7bd59d2-250122297&mc_cid=8db7bd59d2&mc_eid=af1b3a267e
Comment by M Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 5:49 pm
Mama it already is that way and until the feds change the scheduling of cannabis it will remain that way.
Comment by Kentucky Bluegrass x Featherbed Bent x Northern California Sinsemilla Wednesday, Mar 20, 19 @ 6:08 pm
DOT 2017 report to Congress determined impairment at .05 equivalent. Well below DUI standards. Grow up
Comment by Rabid Thursday, Mar 21, 19 @ 3:41 am