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* Mr. Waters said it best…

Well you know there should be no law
on people that want to smoke a little dope

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 31, 19 @ 1:00 am

Comments

The day of Rich’s redemption is finally almost here.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, May 31, 19 @ 1:39 am
The Beacon Theatre’s residency of the Rolling Stones albums provide a rippin’ version of this Muddy Waters classic–with “Mr.” Buddy Guy trading leads with Ronnie Wood & Keith (can’t believe I’m still here) Richards.

Comment by Union4thePeople Friday, May 31, 19 @ 5:24 am
In the end this will likely pass, and once anything is sanctioned by the state it is normalized. The proliferation of it will lead to much wider consumption, and a whole range of negative health outcomes will follow.

It is simply amazing that after nearly 100 years of fighting the effects of smoke from cigarettes on the human body, Americans are now going to once again perpetrate a lie unto themselves. All so that there can be one more legal way to alter a persons state of mind.

Sometimes “the people” are wrong. This is one of those times. I pray that this measure fails in the house, but I know Illinois well enough that the conscious of those willing to say no is likely only as strong as the Democratic party’s ability to buy them off with committee assignments, projects in district, and commitments to help with campaign money in the future.

Just once I would like to see Illinois politicians have the courage of their conscious…maybe today will be that day…maybe.

Comment by Unpopular Friday, May 31, 19 @ 5:58 am
Unpopular - Stop with the Reefer Madness. Have you ever even tried cannabis? What gives you the right to dictate to adults if they can consume a substance safer then alcohol? Have you ever consumed alcohol in your lifetime?

Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, May 31, 19 @ 6:08 am
Unpopular -
Barring medical reasons, I’ll never use marijuana. And if medically necessary, certainly won’t smoke it. That said, I support legalization - ever heard of Alphonse Capone? John Ehrlichman? https://www.cnn.com/2016/03/23/politics/john-ehrlichman-richard-nixon-drug-war-blacks-hippie/index.html

Comment by Anyone Remember Friday, May 31, 19 @ 6:15 am
I like this new thing, starting each day with a good morning and a little bit of music to boot.
Yes it’s gonna be a historic day, (I hope).

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, May 31, 19 @ 6:15 am
Rich - Cool song. The first time I have come across it. Today should be historical. There is more resistance by lawmakers then I believe there should be, but with up to 5 republicans on board, hopefully we get there.

Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, May 31, 19 @ 6:17 am
Unpopular - when I was in high school, I could get weed in 10 minutes on any day. Alcohol, on the other hand, was really hard to get. The prohibition has failed. The laws are unequally enforced on minorities. This won’t unleash weed on Illinois, it will help slow and tax its use.

And the word you’re looking for is “conscience” by the way. The one you’re using means “awake.”

Comment by Progressive Guy Friday, May 31, 19 @ 6:21 am
—once anything is sanctioned by the state it is normalized—

That is the point. Cannabis should be normalized. There is nothing wrong with it.

Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, May 31, 19 @ 6:22 am
It’s too bad to he didn’t include it on “Live in Cook County Jail.”

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 31, 19 @ 7:05 am
I used to listen to a radio show very late at night, back in the day, on WNIB: The Big Bill Collins Show. It was a blues show, and it rocked. Big Bill was the DJ, and he was “down in the basement, sittin’ up on his beat-up orange crate, wonderin’ if there’s anyone with the blues this mornin’.” Listeners would call in and he’d give them a shout-out.

“Americans are now going to once again perpetrate a lie unto themselves”

The big lie is prohibition. Right now marijuana is widespread in Illinois and nobody could stop it. It’s been that way for decades. Kids have been smoking marijuana for decades. The murderous drug cartels have been operating for decades. With legalization we can take revenue and educate people about the dangers of drug use.

Hopefully this is the time where we begin freeing ourselves from those whose heads are buried firmly in the sand.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, May 31, 19 @ 7:21 am
Unpopular - I believe what you’re asking for is politicians to have the courage of your conscious. Because even though you hold the minority view you’re convinced that it’s “right”.

The governor ran and was elected on this issue. It has substantial support from the people in this state. It’s now being enacted. That’s how a representative government should work.

Comment by Pundent Friday, May 31, 19 @ 7:35 am
Unpopular:

Here’s what you need to do:

What don’t you try a little Dutch Cheese
Move onto some 9 Pound Hammer and top off the evening with some Banana OG.

You’ll feel better…much better.

Comment by LBJ Friday, May 31, 19 @ 7:39 am
–Sometimes “the people” are wrong–… so which people tell the people they are wrong? We have a nifty little system devised for that, and is working in front of your not bright face

Comment by High Socks Friday, May 31, 19 @ 7:40 am
–Just once I would like to see Illinois politicians have the courage of their conscious…maybe today will be that day…maybe.–

Well, at least someone is thinking of the children. Nice view from up there on that cross, I bet.

Now, excuse me, I have to go to Walgreen’s to pick up my Oxy and some Lucky’s. No, better yet — I’ll wait til 10 a.m., so I can load up on Jack Daniels and Budweiser for the weekend.

One-stop shopping, for all my legal needs.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 31, 19 @ 7:47 am
Hey Unpopular, how about we let adults be adults and choose for themselves? Ever heard of…don’t thread on me?

Comment by Undefinable_variable Friday, May 31, 19 @ 7:49 am
To everyone who works in the Capitol, this is it! You made it! Thank you for everything you do, and I mean everyone, especially to the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes who keep the Capitol safe, clean, and functioning. It’s hard work, and you do it everyday. None of this is possible without you. Thank you!
Thank you so much.

Comment by People caring loudly Friday, May 31, 19 @ 8:04 am
“It is simply amazing that after nearly 100 years of fighting the effects of smoke from cigarettes on the human body, Americans are now going to once again perpetrate a lie unto themselves.”

What lie is that? That a plant with myriad beneficial medical effects and which is just plain fun to use should remain illegal, and people’s lives damaged or ruined as a result?

From a health standpoint, you can get high without smoking cannabis. You can vaporize it which produces almost no carcinogens, or you can consume it via food or drink in which case you consume no carcinogens at all.

There is a reason some people going through cancer treatment use cannabis. Not only does it stimulate appetite and ease pain, but some compounds in it (I believe THC, possibly also CBD) have been shown to attack cancer cells. So when used responsibly, cannabis can actually IMPROVE one’s health.

Perhaps you should educate yourself on this issue before being so concerned that it will only result in harm. It won’t - it will result in better health outcomes for many, and fun times for many more.

It’s also worth noting that some states which have already legalized it also see lower rates of alcohol consumption. Many people seem to realize that getting high is more enjoyable than getting drunk, and it’s a lot safer, too.

Comment by Techie Friday, May 31, 19 @ 8:10 am
Very excellent tune and remember Mr. Wwaters sez a “little dope” —- maybe calkins size ?

Comment by Annonin' Friday, May 31, 19 @ 8:22 am
If I am reading the agenda correctly, 1438 is the fifth concurrence bill after second and third readings? Based on the bills that come before it, I’m guessing they’ll get to that bill fairly quickly today. Anybody have an opinion on this?

Comment by Harvest76 Friday, May 31, 19 @ 8:38 am
Unpopular, this is how democracy works. People elect candidate who promises to do what they want done. Candidate delivers!! People make their own decisions about use. If the people are “wrong”, it gets changed later (”success” of Prohibition and subsequent repeal). Sooth your “conscious” with thoughts & prayers for those whose lives have been wrecked by the War on Drugs.

Comment by Froganon Friday, May 31, 19 @ 8:45 am
Unpopular: On behalf of Rep. Cheech and Sen. Chong, Have A Great Day.

Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, May 31, 19 @ 8:52 am
Wordslinger - It’s too bad to he didn’t include it on “Live in Cook County Jail.”

That’s BB King, my man. But it is a great album, especially when the emcee talks about thanking the chief judge and the sheriff and all the inmates boo. Hysterical.

http://www.thers500.com/albums/2014/8/30/499-bb-king-live-in-cook-county-jail

FYI, Jewel Lafontant was the emcee and “During President George H. W. Bush’s administration, from 1989 to 1993, Lafontant-Mankarious assumed the roles of U.S. ambassador-at-large and U.S. coordinator for refugee affairs. She also served as the vice chairperson of the U.S. Advisory Commission on International, Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Btw, I don’t ever remember disagreeing with any of your comments until this one! All the best, Paddy

Comment by Paddyrollingstone Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:07 am
=== once anything is sanctioned by the state it is normalized ===

Oh sure. That’s why as soon as everyone turns 18 they donate blood and volunteer for the military.

And why everyone donates 1/3 of their income to charity.

And becomes a foster parent.

And owns a boat.

Because the state makes them, by making it legal.

If “the state” had that kind of power to sway public belief, the overwhelming majority would not support cannabis legalization in opposition to the current policy. The majority would not support a $15 minimum wage, or a fair tax system.

Now, I don’t disagree that some might try cannabis for the first time now that it’s legal, or some who enjoyed it in their youth might start enjoying it again now that it’s not a threat to their lives if they get caught.

But that isn’t the state creating demand or normalizing behavior: that is the state no longer obstructing demand or trying to control private behavior.

Before you go any further, please be prepared to explain why the state should allow people to consume alcohol, soft drinks and salt if they do choose but not cannabis.

Comment by Thomas Paine Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:11 am
Wow, the House started the session with HB1438. That was unexpected. And now the Republicans have called a caucus for at least 62 minutes. We might find out before lunch whether concurrence will happen or not.

Comment by Loki Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:14 am
“In the end this will likely pass, and once anything is sanctioned by the state it is normalized.”

As someone who’s never used marijuana but who’s seen many good people fall victim to alcohol addiction, I sincerely hope that the use of this vastly less harmful alternative is normalized — and normalized as quickly as possible.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:17 am
–Kids have been smoking marijuana for decades.–

I shudder to think what’s to become of that Willie Nelson kid. He’s only 86, he has his whole life ahead of him, but he’s caught in the clutches of the Devil’s Harvest.

For the record, Willie has been busted many times with loads of weed. The amounts were such that zealous prosecutors could have made the case for intent to distribute.

But Willie can lawyer up, real good, and he’s an old white man, to boot. If he couldn’t, and he wasn’t, he would have done time, many times.

The anti-expungers might want to ponder that the next time they tune in Willie’s music.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:23 am
- That is the point. Cannabis should be normalized. There is nothing wrong with it. -

Oh wow. Nothing? So you can smoke weed and do everything normally?

This is a silly statement.

I’m fine if you’ll want weed because I want money, but be sane in your arguments.

Comment by I Miss Bentohs Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:30 am
- Ever heard of…don’t thread on me? -

This will cause sow much trouble /s

Comment by I Miss Bentohs Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:34 am
==Just once I would like to see Illinois politicians have the courage of their conscious==

Have you ever considered that despite your “Last Righteous Man” cosplay, the people who disagree with you *are* acting out of the courage of their conscious? You don’t have a monopoly on conviction.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:46 am
What Arsenal said. And it’s conscience, not conscious. And your conscience is not everyone else’s.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:54 am
What’s on my “conscious” is my loved one with the crumbling spine, and three friends whose fibromyalgia isn’t considered severe enough for them to access medical cannabis. It’s uncivilized.

Comment by yinn Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:04 am
Legal pot or not - doesn’t matter to me…can’t smoke it.
I have the Larry David weed effect…so funny:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5pHThkpyGE

Do you have any idea how hard it was to be in college in the 60’s and not be able to smoke weed with everyone else?

Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:20 am
–Btw, I don’t ever remember disagreeing with any of your comments until this one!–

I don’t see the disagreement, so no worries. Just would have been cool if the tune had made the album, given that a lot of the audience was probably locked up for weed.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:34 am
=Ever heard of…don’t “”thread”" on me?= (2x quotes added)

No. Does that have to do with protecting individual freedom to blog?

Comment by Joe Procol Haram Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:51 am
===protecting individual freedom to blog? ===

Tweet

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:55 am