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* Sun-Times…
Gov. Bruce Rauner on Thursday said he’d “probably be comfortable” with a bill to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.
The bill, approved by a 64-50 vote by the Illinois House on Wednesday, would ensure no one in Illinois could be criminally charged for possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana. The Senate passed the measure in April with a 40-14 vote. […]
Steans’ bill could save taxpayers as much as $24 million a year.
On Thursday, Rauner said he’s still reviewing the bill but would likely support it if the language fits his recommendations.
* Tribune…
“We get caught up in what our state pie is going to be, and how much marijuana is going to get sold,” Rauner said Thursday as he was pushing for passage of his “turnaround” legislative agenda at a Springfield steel fabrication plant. He noted that the General Assembly last year passed more than 500 bills, including one that designated pumpkin as the official state pie.
“You know, it’s lovely topics,” Rauner said. “We got a budget crisis, we need more jobs, we need higher wages, we need more money for our schools. Let’s focus on what matters.”
This topic matters, governor. Prohibition has ruined more lives than we can imagine.
And, keep in mind, the reason it’s about to become law is because it was a do-able, bipartisan reform - which you, yourself suggested. C’mon, man.
* While we’re at it, how about loosening up the medical marijuana laws? I was told yesterday that a growing facility in southern Illinois that invested millions of dollars is laying off a bunch of workers because of a lack of demand. Adding more treatable maladies would certainly help.
We also need to look at possibly scaling back the tight restrictions on which doctors can participate. Right now, patients need to have an “established relationship” with their docs. But it turns out that lots of physicians are refusing to participate, either out of fear of federal problems or for personal reasons.
There’s jobs in them thar bushes.
…Adding… Reboot…
Illinois HB 4276 proposes a tax structure [on legalized marijuana] where the general sales tax rate along with a 10 percent excise tax would be applied. The sales tax would be applied to the retail price while the excise tax would be on the wholesale price. Note that this proposed taxing structure would put less of a tax burden on marijuana in Illinois compared with the four states that have currently legalized marijuana. The above estimates for the Illinois marijuana market size based on other states’ recent experiences vary widely, ranging from $536.2 million to $1,152.3 million. Applying the tax structure proposed in HB 4276 (5 percent state sales tax rate along with 10 percent excise tax rate) to our estimates of Illinois market size (assuming a 100 percent retail mark-up, so the excise tax base—the wholesale price—is one-half the retail market amount) yields an annual state revenue estimate ranging between $53.6 million and $115.2 million.
…Adding More… This is the very sort of thing I was talking about yesterday when I said that Rauner needs to more clearly own up to the need for higher state taxation. He vetoed the med-mar bill last year, but provided a detailed roadmap for legislators. They gave him what he wanted and yet he still won’t own it. Very disappointing.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 20, 16 @ 9:50 am
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While Colorado struggles to figure out where to spend all their revenue, here we sit in Illinois.
Comment by Indochine Friday, May 20, 16 @ 9:53 am
Bruce,
You claim to be successful businessman. The line of business in Illinois that criminally prosecutes citizens for possession of marijuana is a money loser.
Lets close down that line of business. Its similar to when a nursing home figures out that certain patients are unprofitable. Surely you understand this!
Lets shift the money from the Marijuana Criminal Justice Industrial complex to schools.
Oh, and we are going to have to raise taxes too.
All the best,
Del
Comment by Del Clinkton Friday, May 20, 16 @ 9:55 am
A chance to declare an accomplishment and build something that almost looks like momentum, but the Governor begrudgingly states that he’ll probably sign it. You just don’t get that many meatballs over the middle of the plate. What a wasted opportunity.
Comment by SAP Friday, May 20, 16 @ 9:57 am
I saw this story in the Trib. The first thing that I thought after I read it was that for everybody that voted for Rauner, there was someone who *didn’t*. I’m not sure Rauner understands — or cares — about that.
But it does put into perspective (for me, at least) that Rauner (a) has no popular mandate and (b) is governor for an entire state of people, half of which wanted someone else (or didn’t want Rauner).
Rauner’s “meh” about this shows that he has no concept of a “win” — no concept of how to exploit a win — when it has nothing to do with his (by now) out-of-date “Turnaround Agenda.”
People care about this. It’s a progressive, important stance to take. He’s on the right side of history with this one. This has “positive” written all over it. (I mean, at one point he did seem to think criminal justice reform was important.)
So, his “meh” — his shrugging off, comparing to the state pie — is insulting and … well, a bit pathetic, actually.
Comment by Formerly Known as Frenchie M Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:01 am
We need higher wages unless you are employed by the state or belong to a union …. fixed it for you Gov
The doctor issue is a huge problem with the medical Marijuana program in Illinois. You have to have a relationship with the doctor for five years I believe. The problem with this is that most of the doctors in the state won’t give the recommendation, so a patient is forced to seek out another doctor (reset the clock on building that relationship of five years). Also, many people go to a specialist etc in Saint Louis for some of the conditions approved for medical Marijuana. Per Illinois law the Missouri doctor can’t help the patient since they are not an Illinois doctor.
The expanded condition list is an obvious need, but clearly the Gov just doesn’t like the program. He has been advised multiple times to expand the condition list, but has declined to both times.
Comment by ABC123 Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:02 am
I’m going to disagree with you strongly on the established relationship part. People should not be shopping for doctors to treat different ailments. The whole reason I support medical cannibis in Illinois is because it requires a real doctor-patient relationship.
Comment by Just Me Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:02 am
M.D.’s have the right to be concerned because of federal laws. I can smell the lawsuits from my home.
The federal law should be unconstitutional because this is not mentioned in the Constitution (the reason for the amendment on Prohibition,) and as such, is a power reserved to the states under the 10th Amendment. However, the 10th Amendment is pretty much a joke anymore as SCOTUS just uses their own personal opinions in far too many decisions.
Comment by Federalist Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:03 am
All the headlines have been going with his “may be comfortable” language. But the real headline is “Governor implies marijuana decriminalization is minor topic not worth legislature’s time”
Comment by really Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:04 am
–“We got a budget crisis, we need more jobs, we need higher wages, we need more money for our schools. Let’s focus on what matters.”–
Great idea. Any time now, Gov. Innocent Bystander.
But here’s the deal — governors deal with all the issues. They don’t duck them, if they take the job seriously.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:04 am
And also, if it’s such a minor thing that doesn’t matter and is a waste of time, then WHY DID YOU VETO IT THE FIRST TIME???
Comment by really Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:07 am
==We need more jobs, we need higher wages, we need more money for our schools.==
Says the man taking a pass on a billion dollars in revenue in the pursuit of eliminating collective bargaining.
Comment by Jocko Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:07 am
Governor Rauner’s dismissal of issues that harm people but do not interest him is not surprising but the inability/unwillingness to see how much money is being left on the table is.
Comment by LizPhairTax Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:10 am
Colorado is experiencing a new “gold rush” while we’re losing are people, pensions, and profits to scare and lock up its own. That’s typical Midwest thinking at its worst.
Once again, it’s us hurting ourselves.
Comment by jerry in chicago Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:13 am
A singularly unlikeable fellow. Even Blago was a likeable crud in his own selfish, clueless way.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:15 am
Capt Fax
How about you tell BigBrain that the new dope laws will make workers fall off their ladders more often and thus help his push to slash work comp benefits
“Dope Crazed Workers Rob WC Funds”
Then he will think it matters and you get the dopes
Comment by Annonin' Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:15 am
I agree fully with Rich’s commentary. We need to expand MMJ and get rid of the harshest restrictions.
We need more jobs. There are also other ways to skin the fiscal cat other than just proposing prevailing wage elimination and collective bargaining restrictions. Those ways should include tax revenue from cannabis sales.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:17 am
Rauner gets caught up in his own foolish and undecipherable rhetoric that gains no ground for any of his agenda let alone what is needed.
Just sign the freaking bill and move on.
And yes, there may soon be millions of dollars of infrastructure and investment wasted on Med Mar in Illinois. One of the largest grow facilities (law allowed one in each state police district) would probably have enough capacity at current demand to supply the entire state. The law as currently structured and implemented will do nothing but encourage leakage into the black market. It may be happening already.
The director of economic development in IL and a legislative team need to make a trip to Colorado.
Comment by Vole Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:17 am
I have a medical condition which my doctor says would be best treated with medical marijuana. He is unable to prescribe it because the condition is one of those which the Governor won’t add.
Comment by illinoised Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:18 am
Physicians are much more worried about problems with state regulators than they are federal problems, as this Tribune article suggests. The state has already started investigating at least four Doctors participating.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-illinois-medical-marijuana-doctor-oversight-met-20160209-story.html
And it’s not just the Doctors, it’s their bosses telling them not to recommend cannabis.
“Southern Illinois Healthcare in Carbondale, for instance, does not allow its doctors to certify medical marijuana because it remains illegal under federal law, spokeswoman Rosslind Rice said.”
I have Parkinson’s, which is a qualifying condition, but it would take thousands and thousands of dollars and months of Dr. visits for me to get approved into the program. It took two visits, two weeks, and two hundred dollars when I lived in Sacramento.
Comment by Jeff Trigg Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:20 am
here’s the reason for his ‘meh’: congressional dems have painted him into a corner on this.
he’s opposed to legalization, he wants to stall it as long as possible, so he really wants to veto this again. but if he does, everyone will see that he can’t be trusted to honor a compromise. they gave him everything he asked for in his amendatory veto and now they’re daring him to go back on his word.
he knows he’s locked into signing it; the ‘meh’ is to show that he doesn’t support it.
Comment by Homer J. Quinn Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:20 am
Someone needs to serve him some humble pie.
I don’t think this issue is purely symbolic for patients with chronic illnesses that need this medicine to manage pain or the side effects of other drugs like not being able to eat.
How nice for Bruce that he has never dealt with this issue individually or through a parent, sibling, child, friend or co-worker. Guess that must mean the problem doesn’t exist?
Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:20 am
This may reflect more on me and the company my kid keeps, but more kids I know (mostly through my son) are going to college in Colorado than any other state (and almost none I know are going to college in Illinois). Why?
You want to keep our homegrown talent here–our future consumers, “job creators,”, and leaders–give them a reason, and it won’t be theoretically lower taxes due to lowered government payroll costs!
Comment by Concerned Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:25 am
Physicians are much more worried about problems with state regulators than they are federal problems, as a recent Tribune article suggests. The state has already started investigating at least four Doctors participating.
And it’s not just the Doctors, it’s their bosses telling them not to recommend cannabis. So if your Doctor is not allowed to recommend cannabis you are forced to shop for a Doctor who will. This is why the Doctor-patient relationship requirement needs to be reformed.
“Southern Illinois Healthcare in Carbondale, for instance, does not allow its doctors to certify medical marijuana because it remains illegal under federal law, spokeswoman Rosslind Rice said.”
I have Parkinson’s, which is a qualifying condition, but it would take thousands and thousands of dollars and months of Dr. visits for me to get approved into the program. It took two visits, two weeks, and two hundred dollars when I lived in Sacramento.
Comment by Jeff Trigg Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:28 am
Sorry for the duplicate, the first post didn’t show up so I took out the article link in case that was why.
Comment by Jeff Trigg Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:31 am
I hope Rauner holds out on this.
Comment by Saluki Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:32 am
Governor ‘meh’. If the legislation doesn’t hurt collective bargaining then ‘meh’.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:32 am
I agree with the bill to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. This should be a step toward criminal justice reform. It will save the state money and reduce the high incarceration rate.
Comment by Enviro Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:32 am
==“You know, it’s lovely topics,” Rauner said. “We got a budget crisis, we need more jobs, we need higher wages, we need more money for our schools. Let’s focus on what matters.”==
Did he say these things with a straight face? Does he not know he is at least half of the problem?
Comment by Mama Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:55 am
Since he campaigned as a Republican and also criminal justice reform, he ought to be thrilled with legislation that
1. Reforms criminal justice
2. Gets the government out of people’s lives
3. Gets the government out of people’s medical decisions
4, generates revenue by increasing the tax base
Comment by Thoughts Matter Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:57 am
== Jeff Trigg @ 10:20 am: - “I have Parkinson’s, which is a qualifying condition, but it would take thousands and thousands of dollars and months of Dr. visits for me to get approved into the program. It took two visits, two weeks, and two hundred dollars when I lived in Sacramento.==
The US Congress & the IL legislature need to take note of this and act accordingly.
Comment by Mama Friday, May 20, 16 @ 10:59 am
That’s the thing about Rauner… Prohibition has ruined more lives than we can imagine, but those are not lives he values.
Comment by James Knell Friday, May 20, 16 @ 11:04 am
“Rauner said, We got a budget crisis, we need more jobs, we need higher wages, we need more money for our schools. Let’s focus on what matters.”
The unions will happily agree with you on those points. Stop campaigning and start working on resolving those issues. Only two problems Governor, you totally forgot to mention social services & higher education. Without funding for higher ed. there will be no higher paying jobs for a large percentage of people in IL!
Comment by Mama Friday, May 20, 16 @ 11:05 am
It will be interesting to see how the IL mmj industry supports or opposes full legalization. Surely they know it is right around the corner but with all the money they invested they probably don’t want to add to their competition but do want to expand their demand base.
Comment by frisbee Friday, May 20, 16 @ 11:08 am
Is ten grams of hashish ok too?
Comment by Rabid Friday, May 20, 16 @ 11:16 am
== I hope Rauner holds out on this. ==
So do I! Because then it will blatantly show his hypocrisy that he can’t even create a deal with himself.
Comment by Dale Cooper Friday, May 20, 16 @ 11:23 am
Marijuana is no more harmful than alcohol…actually, less so. Let’s decriminalize it entirely, regulate it, and tax it. Empty out all the marijuana convictions in our prisons and let people grow a certain amount of their own. And just so you don’t think it’s a personal issue for me, I’ve never touched pot in my life.
Comment by Ratso Rizzo Friday, May 20, 16 @ 11:29 am
“I’ve got to see what … the bill’s coming, I’ve been a little distracted with economic issues … and frankly more important issues. We in Illinois tend to get … caught up in what our state pie is going to be and how much marijuana’s going to get sold,” he said Thursday. Rauner says lawmakers need to “get their head on straight and do stuff that matters.”
This is a quote from this mornings NPR story. I think this is an indication that 1.4% has no intention of signing this bill.
I also think that this quote shows a clear contempt for the General Assembly as a co-equal branch of government.
Comment by Huh? Friday, May 20, 16 @ 11:33 am
===This is the very sort of thing I was talking about yesterday when I said that Rauner needs to more clearly own up to the need for higher state taxation. He vetoed the med-mar bill last year, but provided a detailed roadmap for legislators. They gave him what he wanted and yet he still won’t own it. Very disappointing.===
Right. He clings to ignorant fact-free policy beliefs that happen not to be supported by most Illinoisians, is given the concessions he requested anyway, then uses the whole mess as a club to beat his opponents over the head.
Why give him anything that he wants?
Ever?
What possible upside is there? All those little people he is going to do such nice things for, if only he’s given free rein? Good one!
Run him out. In the meantime, vote out his votes. Get an actual supermajority, govern without the governor. I don’t know what other hope our state has.
Give Rauner and his party the legacy of impotent irrelevance they are hellbent on chasing… whether they’re self-aware enough to know it or not.
Comment by crazybleedingheart Friday, May 20, 16 @ 11:48 am
crazybleedingheart: “Why give him anything that he wants? Ever?”
that question is why i think he’ll sign it, if grudgingly. this little “as important as the state pie” bill is a test to see if he can compromise when the dems do. he might be pigheaded enough to fail it, but if he does that question’s going to hang over every negotiation from now until the end of his term.
Comment by Homer J. Quinn Friday, May 20, 16 @ 12:01 pm