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House sends legalized cannabis bill to governor 66-47-2

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* Democrats voting “No” included Reps. Crespo, Deluca, Edly-Allen, Flowers, Moylan, Reitz and Scherer. Rep. Lilly voted “Present.” Rep. Ammons did not vote. Republicans voting “Yes” included Reps. Parkhurst, Skillicorn and Welter…

…Adding… GOP Rep. Parkhurst…

Today the House voted 66-47 with 2 Present to legalize and regulate the adult use of cannabis. Below is a statement from State Representative Lindsay Parkhurst (R-Kankakee):

“The 79th District is split on the issue of the legalization of recreational use of cannabis for adults. For months, I’ve been meeting with advocates in support and opposition and studied the issue at length. Both sides of the argument have merit.

However, I concluded prohibition is not working and with the current Governor and legislature, it is clear our state is already on a path for legalizing adult use cannabis.

So, I was one of a few Republicans to take a seat at the table to push for and obtain important changes to improve the bill and protect our state through stronger public safety measures, more taxpayer and workplace protections, local control and revenue, and commitment to mental health and substance abuse services.

Will there be problems? Absolutely. But, we face many of those same problems now and we are facing them without appropriate regulation, resources, or revenue.

Cannabis prohibition is simply no longer working. The illicit market is too large to successfully repress. The choice is not whether to make cannabis available, but whether its production and use should be legal and regulated or illegal and unregulated.

To be sure, Cannabis is not harmless - Cannabis Use Disorder and use by minors are real and existing problems - this is why we need legislation to protect public health and to protect our communities through regulation.

This is why I voted yes.”

* Think Big…

Think Big Illinois Executive Director Quentin Fulks released the following statement today after the House passed marijuana legalization, sending it to Governor Pritzker to be signed into law:

“Today’s passage of marijuana legalization in the Illinois House of Representatives represents critical progress toward making Illinois a more just, more safe, and more equitable place for everyone who calls it home. Think Big Illinois applauds the legislators in both chambers who voted to support this legislation that will help end the era of mass incarceration, bring economic opportunity to our communities, and generate desperately needed revenue for our state.

“We look forward to Governor Pritzker signing this bill into law, and seeing how marijuana legalization will help our state and its communities in the years to come.”

All other releases will be posted on our live coverage post.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:35 pm

Comments

Hallelujah

Comment by very old soil Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:38 pm
Beautiful, baby. Historic. Better than I thought, with the vote total. Sweating it out, there. Thanks to the few Republicans who helped. This is a new day in Illinois and just the beginning. Thanks to all, and great for Pritzker. With this and the new contract, what a great day it is.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:39 pm
Whether you agree or disagree it’s good to see a return to governing.

Comment by Pundent Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:39 pm
Forgot exclamation still verboten. Light up to celebrate.

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:41 pm
I’ve paid my dues
Time after time
I’ve done my sentence
But committed no crime
And bad mistakes
I’ve made a few
I’ve had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I’ve come through
We are the champions, my friends
And we’ll keep on fighting ’til the end

Comment by unlikely Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:42 pm
I agree with Rep. Parkhurst:
“Cannabis is not harmless - Cannabis Use Disorder and use by minors are real and existing problems - this is why we need legislation to protect public health and to protect our communities through regulation.”

Comment by anon2 Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:43 pm
Nobody takes any guff for voting no on something that passes. Time tested and true.

Comment by Truthseeker Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:45 pm
Today is the best day ever,we do have a good Governor,I think all will go good, and Illinois will get out of this hole were in.
Maybe Texas Holdem online? I consider it a sport.

Comment by Artamist Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:52 pm
Great news, was worrying the past few days but in the end, common sense prevailed.

Comment by Lunchbox Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:53 pm
…-

Comment by Kippax Blue Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:54 pm
So happy this made it through both houses. Can’t wait to get home tonight and light one up to celebrate. A magical day indeed.

Comment by Loki Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:56 pm
I guess this means Skillicorn isn’t running for congress….

Comment by Fav Human Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:56 pm
Carol Ammons trying to go viral after debate was my favorite part.

Comment by Iggy Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:05 pm
“Well they got the homegrown killed. Only by voter will it ever be legal. Time to get to work.”

Take a deep breath, maybe enjoy a toke and chill. No home grown except for medical card holders is a reasonable compromise and once the retail business gets established/entrenched, I suspect the General Assembly will revisit the issue loosen up on the home grown. Kudos to Steans and Cassidy for the extensive work they did to bring this to fruition and working with all interested parties. It’s the way things should be done on the big issues.

Comment by regnaD kciN Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:07 pm
I go after Republicans hard, but let me make sure, again, to thank those GOP who voted yes. Thank you.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:12 pm
No doubt that home grow will come. Once legalization is in place much of the air will be taken away from the objectors. And even if it doesn’t happen quickly I can’t envision much in the way of enforcement particularly if you’re cultivating a small amount.

Comment by Pundent Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:16 pm
What a heavy lift, years of it, by Cassidy, Hutchinson, Gordon-Booth, Steans and more. Salud.

And now a governor who will sign it.

I happily admit that I was wrong earlier this month when I expressed concerns that Pritzker, BPIA and the GA Dems had bit off more than they could chew.

This session is already a barn-burner and it’s still raging.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:19 pm
So Moylan turned out to be nothing more than toke’n opposition.
.
.
.
I’ll show myself out, now.

Comment by Northsider Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:23 pm
Glad this passed. Now all we need is a Doritos tax and the state will be raking in cash.

Comment by SSL Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:24 pm
Congrats to all who hve fought so hrd for this. Oregon and Colorado implemented their legal pot differently. And it made a difference. I am glad there is some history and experience to learn from as Illinois takes the plunge.

https://www.denverpost.com/2018/08/05/oregon-colorado-marijuana-supply/

Comment by Responsa Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:26 pm
The ILGA website says “effective immediately.” Will that be true once the Governor signs it?

Comment by Lefty Lefty Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:44 pm
I truly didn’t think I would live long enough to see this happen (I’m 58, btw). I, like others, am thankful that a few Republicans joined in the right side of history on this vote. It takes courage for any politician (either party) to do the right thing when their orthodoxy tells them to stay in line. My Democratic representative has now taken two huge votes (with the other side) in a row- we have been happy with her votes in the past, so we will let this slide (considering her district and this being a structured vote to protect vulnerable reps). I will be contacting her (again) to try to help her understand how we feel about this new law, and how it will improve life for so many people who are otherwise law-abiding citizens. Regulations will improve the safety of both the product and the lives of those who just want to buy it from a safe business, and should even reduce the black market drastically (if what I have read about other states that have legalized happens here too)

Comment by Roadiepig Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:52 pm
Rep. Crespo is from a safe district, but he was a Republican until he switched parties to run against Terry Parke in ‘06.

Comment by anon2 Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:53 pm
does anyone know whether the medical program was extended by this bill or does it still sunset in mid-2020?

Comment by Homer J. Quinn Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:54 pm
Amazing. Proof that leadership and governing can occur in Illinois.

Comment by Scamp640 Friday, May 31, 19 @ 3:58 pm
Kudos to Steans and Cassidy. That was a marathon. So long as SAM didn’t get a “W” in Illinois I’m happy. I wonder if Sabet is having fun yet.

Comment by XonXoff Friday, May 31, 19 @ 4:05 pm
Finally. https://youtu.be/6n4e92r4Cw4 Have some Friday fun.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, May 31, 19 @ 4:30 pm
I have copd. 40 yrs a Rasta. Now I can get edibles . For my sojourn to the promised land . Vape pens with concentrate people . You too may get old

Comment by I’ll res Friday, May 31, 19 @ 4:51 pm
Kevin Sabet at SAM is now tweeting legalizing cannabis is a bad idea because it causes increased liquor sales. The guy is as funny as Jeanne Ives.

Comment by Al Friday, May 31, 19 @ 5:18 pm
Illinois now has moved into the 21st century inspite of the fearmongering of police unions, prison guard unions, bar owners who see lost jobs and revenue. I am proud of those who stood up to it all

Comment by truthteller Friday, May 31, 19 @ 5:28 pm
Anyone want to ballpark how long it will actually take to get dispensaries open for business? Not sure how long it will take to sell licenses, certify employees, secure products for sale, etc

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Friday, May 31, 19 @ 5:38 pm
==Carol Ammons trying to go viral after debate was my favorite part.==

I think Rep. Ammons was sincerely—and justifiably—upset that she was not given an opportunity to speak on legislation that is deeply important to her, when nearly every other member in the chamber got 5 minutes or more.

Comment by charles in charge Friday, May 31, 19 @ 5:39 pm
Also, let me give a shout-out to sometimes visitor to Capfax, Rep. Skillicorn. I’ve made fun of him in the past here, and he deserved it every time, but he went against the grain here and voted for a bill that was very important to many of us. Good job and thank you, sir. No snark this time

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Friday, May 31, 19 @ 5:48 pm
Legal marijuana passage was brilliant, the way the bill was done to maybe appease some GA members and bring them on board, like with expungement. That needle was threaded.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, May 31, 19 @ 8:23 pm
I always wanted to live in a legal cannabis state. Now I do.

Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, May 31, 19 @ 8:25 pm
Here’s hoping for a warm dec 31 and Jan 1 morn,I plan on camping out .

Comment by Illinois resident Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 9:08 am
How long do you think it will be before they run out.(recreational only)medical will be safe.

Comment by Illinois resident Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 9:11 am
‘Bout the only good thing Parkhurst has done. Kudos.

Either light up or leave me alone - Traffic

Comment by Anonymous Saturday, Jun 1, 19 @ 9:44 am