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* Sun-Times…
And after clearing changes to a recreational cannabis legalization measure, the Illinois House must debate it on the floor. Facing opposition, bill sponsors scaled back expungement provisions in the measure and narrowed down home grow for just medical marijuana patients, among other changes.
The Illinois House planned to take up the cannabis measure at a Thursday night committee meeting, to clear it for a vote on Friday. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, who helped to shape the expungement changes, came to Springfield to testify on the measure.
The original language would have automatically expunged an estimated 800,000 convictions. The revised language means those with convictions for cannabis possession convictions under 30 grams can get pardoned by the governor. States attorneys would then be able to petition the court to expunge the record. A judge would direct law enforcement agencies and county clerks to clear their record.
While the bill sponsor remained optimistic about its passage, House Democrats met during a lengthy caucus about the bill earlier Thursday. It’s unclear whether there’s enough support, so a close vote is anticipated, sources said. But Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan will likely play a big role in helping Gov. J.B. Pritzker secure enough votes for passage since it’s considered one of the governor’s key legislative priorities this session.
Way too many people out there spiked the ball in the endzone after the Senate passed the legalization bill. This ain’t over until it’s over.
* Tribune…
Among those testifying in support of the bill at Thursday’s committee hearing was Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, a proponent of the bill’s expungement provisions.
“This is not simply a measure of social justice and equity; it is a public safety issue,” Foxx said. Clearing people’s records of marijuana convictions would help them gain access to educational and job opportunities and help prevent them from committing future crimes, she said.
Opponents have raised concerns that the bill will increase teen use of marijuana and result in more people driving while high, and have also cited health concerns, among other problems.
Ahead of the committee vote, supporters said privately that they expected a close vote on the House floor due to concerns from African American lawmakers that provisions to provide expungement were more complicated than had originally been envisioned.
* Foxx’s testimony was designed to address some of the concerns expressed by African-American House members from the Chicago area…
It’s a matter of “going back and writing the wrongs,” said Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, who was in Springfield to testify in favor of the measure (House Bill 1438) and had worked to negotiate the revised clemency process.
“Even a misdemeanor conviction has longstanding collateral consequences,” Foxx said, like employment and housing obstacles. “We must be responsible about legalization. I believe this bill does that. And I believe that the components related to expungements is the best that we could hope for, for the people of the state of Illinois.”
As I tweeted last night, appointed freshman Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) hinted he may not be a “Yes” when the bill is brought up today.
* Mark Maxwell tweeted during the hearing last night. Here’s a couple of them…
GOP Rep. David Welter says "We were respected. We were engaged with." He gives credit to @GovPritzker for including Republicans in a bipartisan process to legalize marijuana.
— Mark Maxwell (@WCIA3Mark) May 31, 2019
On expungements, Sheriff Campbell acknowledges "the language changes were helpful," but he still opposes the plan to legalize cannabis.
"If this bill passes, there will be a Supreme Court challenge for sure" because they can't change the way K9s smell for drugs.
— Mark Maxwell (@WCIA3Mark) May 31, 2019
A Supreme Court case over K9s? Seriously?
* And the News-Gazette seems to bemoan the failure of alcohol prohibition in an editorial today…
People, of course, rightly complain that consuming alcoholic beverages is no better. But alcohol is a reality that this country has tried — and failed — to address. Pritzker now intends to double down on the mortal threat posed by these twin, soon-to-be-legal intoxicants.
How ironic it is that Pritzker, who repeatedly cited the serious difficulties posed by his mother’s alcoholism, now celebrates dropping this time bomb into the lives of the people of Illinois.
Yeah, bring his mom into it. Lovely.
* The House brought the bill to the floor this morning and the Republicans requested a one-hour caucus. Watch the live coverage post for instant updates today.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:14 am
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I could be wrong but I don’t see this getting fumbled at the final stage, after the amazing efforts of Steans and Cassidy to make this legislation as appealing as possible.
Comment by tgk Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:17 am
Well, since the House opened the session with HB1438 and the Republicans immediately asked for a 62 minute caucus, presumably to discuss the bill, we should know about the final vote sooner rather than later today.
Comment by Loki Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:18 am
They called the bill already this morning, and Republicans asked to caucus for one hour. Would the bill be called if the votes aren’t there?
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:20 am
===Would the bill be called if the votes aren’t there? ===
Sometimes, you gotta put it up on the big board to make the fence-sitters choose a side.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:21 am
“the mortal threat posed by these twin, soon-to-be-legal intoxicants”
Anyone who fails to distinguish between alcohol (addictive) and marijuana (not addictive) is either a liar or a fool.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:21 am
It would be so Illinois to not be able to get 61 votes.
Nice to read that Pritzker is at least trying to reach out to the other side of the aisle and listen but the IL GOP is just such a mess right now.
Comment by Former State Worker Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:21 am
Am I ignorant, or couldn’t you just train your K9 dogs to not alert to marijuana, the same way the don’t alert to mint chewing gum or peanut butter?
Comment by Lizard Person Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:23 am
So last day to get State’s work done and GOP needs to spend an hour caucusing? Any reason they couldn’t have done that BEFORE the session started? Can statehouse vets help me understand if this is normal or a delaying tactic?
Comment by Oldengrey Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:23 am
==Would the bill be called if the votes aren’t there?==
They have before, though it’s usually to try to isolate and expose 1 or 2 hold outs.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:24 am
==Can statehouse vets help me understand if this is normal or a delaying tactic?==
It is a normal delaying tactic.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:26 am
“But alcohol is a reality that this country has tried — and failed — to address.” Luckily the war on drugs has been a rousing success.
Comment by Southern Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:26 am
=couldn’t you just train your K9 dogs to not alert to marijuana==
Not with existing dogs. They will need to retire current K9 dogs and start fresh.
Comment by Illinois_Sixth Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:27 am
Lizard Person, you are correct. The K9 statement (though I haven’t seen it in full context, just from the tweet above) is just another lousy argument for opposition.
Comment by Loki Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:27 am
As Arsenal said, it is a normal tactic. I would think they will caucus at least three more times today, before a budget vote and before a vote on capital and before a vote on gaming if the capital and gaming bills reach the floor.
Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:29 am
if no change is good enough to get law enforcement on board, why were they ever allowed in the debate? they’ve been operating in bad faith throughout this process and as a result the people lost home grow, for nothing.
Comment by Homer J. Quinn Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:29 am
Illinois_Sixth, you are also correct. However, they wouldn’t need to retire existing K9s. Rather, the officers could use their heads and if a K9 reacted to marijuana, just let it go. I mean really, is it that difficult?
Comment by Loki Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:29 am
The K9 excuse might be the most perfect example of sunken cost fallacy I’ve ever heard.
Comment by DMXbarking Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:30 am
Homer, I agree 100%. I would hope that going forward, no more concessions are made to Illinois Law Enforcement on any topic. Their job is to enforce the laws made, not to have a say in creation of the laws (other than as an Illinois voting resident).
Comment by Loki Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:31 am
–”If this bill passes, there will be a Supreme Court challenge for sure” because they can’t change the way K9s smell for drugs.–
I don’t understand. Who would sue about what? Who has standing? Lassie?
–How ironic it is that Pritzker, who repeatedly cited the serious difficulties posed by his mother’s alcoholism, now celebrates dropping this time bomb into the lives of the people of Illinois.–
No-class, low-rent hysterics in the service of ignorance.
Isn’t there supposedly an institution of higher learning in that town?
Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:33 am
I’m watching the dem mom votes on this one today. If you can get the Mom’s on a mission to go green on the board, they should have enough.
Comment by Iggy Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:37 am
Southern @ 9:26 a.m. — You beat me to it.
Comment by Just Observing Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:37 am
If Madigan is in support of this bill, its is a done deal. Illinois needs the revenue and we need to move into the 21st century on drug policy that has crippled so many people’s futures and saddled the Illinois taxpayer with arrest, prosecution and imprisonment of thousands of Illinois people for possession. The special interest against legalization are all based on their perceived revenue and job loss and little to do with actual legalization of pot…all the same nonsense we saw when smoking bans were put in place and the bar/restaurant lobby all bemoaned that…and what happened? They almost all saw revenue increases as many of us who despise second hand smoke started to go back out at night.
Comment by truthteller Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:38 am
===if no change is good enough to get law enforcement on board, why were they ever allowed in the debate?===
60-30-1
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:39 am
== “If this bill passes, there will be a Supreme Court challenge for sure” because they can’t change the way K9s smell for drugs. ==
Aren’t dogs only used for suspected drug trafficking cases and not people pulled over with a bag of weed in their car? So, if they brought the dogs in after the law is passed, wouldn’t it still be illegal to be transported bulk marijuana? The argument kind of seems irrelevant.
Comment by Moby Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:40 am
Man, seeing Kim Foxx’s name anywhere in the same vicinity of this legislation doesn’t look good or help matters. Was her testimony absolutely necessary?
Comment by Responsa Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:41 am
As a preface, I think legalization makes sense. But for those asking about K9 Supreme Court Cases, those cases are often about search and seizure, probable cause. And several have reached the SC. If police continue to use dogs trained to alert on cannabis, a case may end up at the SC again. An example of one case can be found here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_v._Harris
Comment by Leslie K Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:42 am
===doesn’t look good or help matters===
You’re not the target audience.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:44 am
===How ironic it is that Pritzker, who repeatedly cited the serious difficulties posed by his mother’s alcoholism===
Words fail me. Keep it classy, News-Gazette.
Comment by Nick Name Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:44 am
I mean, of course we should continue to fine, criminally charge, and incarcerate people for the mere reason that dogs have been previously trained to detect marijuana. I can’t see any way around this. /s
Comment by Just Observing Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:46 am
==How ironic it is that Pritzker, who repeatedly cited the serious difficulties posed by his mother’s alcoholism==
Trying to draw parallels with recreational (or chronic) marijuana use with alcoholism is the lowest of low blows.
Comment by Jocko Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:47 am
The dog alerts, the human decides. 20 g, or 20 pounds. Unless they expect the dog to make that decision too.
Comment by Labghorne Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:48 am
I agree it looks like it will be a close vote. As long as we have a majority, that works for me. With 74 house democrats, some republican support, and the speaker endorsing this, a fail will not look good.
Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:49 am
This is how the dog could get to the Supreme Court. Traffic stop on I-80. Dog comes, which is permissible if it doesn’t delay the stop. Dog hits, gives officer probable cause to search the vehicle. Search turns up 29 grams of weed, and 5 guns with the serial numbers filed off. Was a dog hitting, on what turned out to be a legal quantity of a legal substance, probable cause to search, and if not, the gun case is tossed.
It might sound far-fetched, but far-fetched cases are what go to the Supreme Court. (heh heh fetch)
Comment by hold on Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:49 am
==Man, seeing Kim Foxx’s name anywhere in the same vicinity of this legislation doesn’t look good or help matters.==
It helps. The Black Caucus is still concerned about social equity. Her entire public profile, including her colossal mistake, is rooted in that. She is a voice they will listen to.
Does it “look good”? It doesn’t matter. This is an Inside Game now. The Outside Game was last November.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:51 am
== Am I ignorant, or couldn’t you just train your K9 dogs to not alert to marijuana, the same way the don’t alert to mint chewing gum or peanut butter? ==
Here is what I have heard.
You can’t untrain a sent, so if a dog is trained to ‘hit’ on MJ, they can’t unlearn that.
Well why not just ignore that?
The signal a dog gives for a ‘hit’ is the same reguardless of what is involved. So they don’t have a MJ signal vs a Heroin signal.
The legal problem.
Cop pulls a guy over, calls the dog to take a sniff. Dog hits. They search (since they have probable cause) and find MJ and another drug. Did the dog hit on the MJ or on the other drug? That can cause probable cause into question, since MJ would be legal.
That is the explaination I have heard. Take it for what you will.
Comment by OneMan Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:55 am
Retire old dogs, retrain new dogs to new drug policy. What is the problem? Given that larger dogs have a relatively limited life span, turnover is constant irregardless of drug policy. Just another talking point.
Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:57 am
The police have shown themselves to be no better than the worst politician.
In almost every case that comes up against an event involving a police officer the boilerplate response it “We don’t make the law, we just enforce it”. But in this case, they want to be involved in making the law as well.
Their latest showing, of having their demands met halfway, and still stating their opposition, has made me realize it is useless to cooperate with police.
They’ve already caused more damage to themselves in the loss of public trust than a plant ever will.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:57 am
The K-9 issue is a canard. They would still need dogs to alert to cannabis going forward, it would be up to the officer to determine whether or not the amount found in a vehicle is above the legal limit for personal possession. Sheriff Campbell is still working on his ongoing honesty issues, apparently needs more time
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Friday, May 31, 19 @ 9:58 am
K9’s -
If this is going to be such a big problem why don’t we transfer some of these dogs to other states where it’s still illegal, maybe the Department of Homeland Security?
Maybe even sell them, pre-trained, for added revenue from this logical legalization effort.
Comment by Labrador Hunter Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:01 am
“the officers could use their heads and if a K9 reacted to marijuana, just let it go. I mean really, is it that difficult?”
In Illinois v. Caballes, the Supreme Court ruled that police do not need reasonable suspicion to use drug dogs to sniff a vehicle during a legitimate traffic stop. Justice Stevens wrote the Opinion of the Court, finding that since dog sniffs only identify the presence of *illegal* items — in which citizens have no legitimate privacy interest — the Fourth Amendment does not apply to their use.
If MJ is legalized in Illinois, police would then need a reasonable suspicion to drug sniff a car.
Two notes: 1) Reasonable suspicion is an incredibly low bar, but it may be just high enough to keep police from sniffing all the cars of non-white motorists. 2) K-9s are notorious for false positives, but even a false positive gives cops an excuse to thoroughly search a vehicle to find evidence of some wrongdoing. Or just to hassle (non-white) drivers.
tl;dr- Illinois police want to keep doing business as usual.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:02 am
I’m a Campbell supporter, but in my opinion, Foxx beat Campbell in last nights debate and came across as more rational than Campbell which really surprised me. Honestly, it might have been better if he sat that one out. The real Illinois Supreme Court case Campbell and the the ISA fear is when it is decided that cannabis smell is no longer probable cause to search. That decision will be huge.
Comment by Kayak Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:05 am
=How ironic it is that Pritzker, who repeatedly cited the serious difficulties posed by his mother’s alcoholism=
I would expect the News Gazette to advocate their position based on public policy arguments. This is nothing but a spiteful personal attack. They should apologize.
Comment by Pundent Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:08 am
Hope it goes through, but the Kim Foxx connection is unfortunate. Anyone who exercises such poor judgment isn’t someone you want on your side.
Comment by SSL Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:08 am
The Republican caucus should be ending shortly. I’m keeping my fingers crossed here in Chicago…
Comment by Loki Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:13 am
longest hour of my life thus far.
Comment by unlikely Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:14 am
=Anyone who exercises such poor judgment isn’t someone you want on your side.=
It depends on what you mean by “your side.” You clearly take exception with the way she handled the Smollett case. But there’s also a “side” that saw this as a balancing of scales which have historically tilted heavily in the favor of white men. If Kim Foxx is viewed as a person who is bringing balance to those scales there’s absolutely a benefit in her involvement particularly on the topic of expungement.
Comment by Pundent Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:15 am
==came across as more rational than Campbell which really surprised me. ==
Spit-take. Have you met jack campbell? Anita Bedell comes across as more rational on this issue. He could’ve been ONDCP director for the Reagan administration
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:20 am
BUT. Medical marijuana is already legal, so the dogs should have been being trained not to hit on cannabis starting a few years ago.
Comment by hold on Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:22 am
@hold on
I dont believe this is true. My “friend” got popped with a pound a few months ago. The dog hit on the car - supposedly. Right here in good ol Chicago
Comment by unlikely Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:26 am
SO, who will be #60?? The board will be fun to watch.
Comment by The Bashful Raconteur Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:28 am
The NYT did a story about the impact on drug sniffing dogs last year and how to approach the issue back in November of 2018 was still up in the air a bit.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/24/business/marijuana-legalization-police-dogs.html
Is law enforcement making this a bigger deal than it needs to be? Yeah they are, because that is what law enforcement does. But lets not pretend it is a complete non-issue. Should it stop implelemtation, no, because in part as the article points out they are now training dogs not to hit on MJ, so you have a solution. But fewer drug sniffing dogs on the street for a while is a very real possibility. There are all sort of risks with legalization, lets not pretend they are not, but the various ‘rewards’ including tax benefits seem to outweigh them, but lets not pretend their are not risks.
Comment by OneMan Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:29 am
OneMan, I don’t think anybody here is pretending that there are not risks to legalization. Most people are just fed up with the lame excuses against legalization that the opposition is bringing to the table. Lamenting about how to police home grow, K9 training, cartels buying up houses if home grow is legal, etc. are all just poor arguments against legalization and make those spouting those arguments look foolish. Rather, if they want to be taken seriously, they should come to the table with well thought out positions, and if those positions are met, or a compromise is reached, they should either be neutral or for the legalization. Rather, they come to the table with half-baked, pathetic arguments, and when compromises are made, they are still against.
Comment by Loki Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:34 am
Are those against legal cannabis considered grassbowls?
Comment by Big T Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:35 am
My prediction: 62 minute caucus, 62 yes votes. Signature.
Comment by Kayak Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:35 am
==
But fewer drug sniffing dogs on the street for a while is a very real possibility
===
I’m having a hard time seeing any problem with this.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:36 am
This caucus is taking forever…
Comment by Loki Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:39 am
Did Jack Campbell step down from the medical pot czar position specifically to oppose this? Out of everyone who held that position he was the least quoted so it’s not clear.
Comment by Earnest Not Borgnine Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:44 am
someone go wake up the sleepy republicans
Comment by unlikely Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:53 am
===Am I ignorant, or couldn’t you just train your K9 dogs to not alert to marijuana, the same way the don’t alert to mint chewing gum or peanut butter?===
Look, the K9 problem resolves itself in a decade anyway, and they don’t really need their “kid-friendly” mascots absent the weed thing.
Comment by Graduated College Student Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:53 am
Earnest
Yes. He took the Medical post after he lost the Sheriff’s race to Barr. Once Barr decided to only run one term as Sheriff, Campbell ran again, was elected, and left the Medical post.
Comment by Kayak Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:54 am
Unfortunatley, if the floor debate is as shaky as the committee debate it won’t be a surprise if the bill gets shelved. For those that didn’t listen in on the committee hearing, there was quite a bit of, “That will need to go into the trailer bill too, ha ha ha” and “This is going to be a big trailer bill, ha ha ha”
The Black Caucus is twenty members strong in the House I believe, reps that are safe enough from any sort of voter reprisal if they should arrive upon the decision to stymie this bill.
Comment by Hopefull Friday, May 31, 19 @ 10:55 am
If a K9 detecting MJ is probable cause for a search, a search revealing legal amounts of MJ may result other law violations detected in the search to be classified and dismissed as the result of being a search without probable cause.
If, say, 75% of vehicles have legal MJ detectable by K9s the result would be huge numbers of searches executed without probable cause and 4th Amendment discharged.
Sadly for dog lovers, MJ trained K9s will need to be retired in order to prevent routine stops for speeding from resulting in inconvenient and expensive legal fees to be paid by law abiding citizens.
Comment by Glenn Friday, May 31, 19 @ 11:14 am
The floor debate can be viewed/listened to on ilga: http://www.ilga.gov/houseaudvid.asp#
Comment by Hopefull Friday, May 31, 19 @ 11:19 am
Thanks Hopefull.
Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, May 31, 19 @ 11:28 am
Moylan proving that debate is not just for the intellectuals…
Comment by Baloneymous Friday, May 31, 19 @ 11:46 am
Marty Moylan has the floor. It’s a train wreck in process that shouldn’t be missed if you’re into this type of thing.
“Todays marijuana can be up to 99% thc…”
Comment by Hopefull Friday, May 31, 19 @ 11:48 am
==Moylan proving that debate is not just for the intellectuals…==
So very true. Listening to this and wanting to hide in the basement. . .
I may never eat sausage again.
Comment by Flapdoodle Friday, May 31, 19 @ 11:50 am
”
Marty Moylan has the floor. It’s a train wreck in process that shouldn’t be missed if you’re into this type of thing.
“Todays marijuana can be up to 99% thc…”
”
Dear lord, did he actually say that? If so, he’s ridiculously out of touch with the facts. Actual flower is maybe as high as 30% THC or so last I had heard. Sure, concentrates can be much higher as the name implies, but even those top out around 92% or so as far as I understand.
Comment by Techie Friday, May 31, 19 @ 11:55 am
you can make alcohol of like 95%
Comment by BerryOG Friday, May 31, 19 @ 11:56 am
Republicans are all about limited government, until it comes to how many of a specific plant are in my garden. I think the numbers to pass this are there and i am glad that Illinois is finally coming around on this issue. Homegrow for all will come down the road, just as soon as the hydroponic stores pony up some money for lobbyists because the freedom loving Republicans aren’t likely to champion this specific angle.
Comment by Kentucky Bluegrass x Featherbed Bent x Northern California Sinsemilla Friday, May 31, 19 @ 11:58 am
This Rep Windhorst is championing right now; everyone is yielding their time to him
Comment by BerryOG Friday, May 31, 19 @ 12:00 pm
Windhorst championing…
people were yielding their time to Moylan as well.
Comment by Baloneymous Friday, May 31, 19 @ 12:03 pm
I’m a dog guy, ever since I can remember. Love ‘em. I appreciate the work that goes into training dogs.
But the idea that Prohibition must continue, people must be jailed and carry criminal records, and murderous cartels must remain in business to protect the future employment prospects of K9s is about the loopiest thing I’ve ever heard.
I’ve never been so stoned that I would blurt something like that in public.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 31, 19 @ 12:06 pm
News-Gazette editorial, paragraph 7:
“Pritzker now intends to double down on the mortal threat posed by these twin, soon-to-be-legal intoxicants.”
Same News-Gazette editorial, paragraph 11:
“Marijuana is not — and never was — the mortal threat many people perceived it to be decades ago.”
Maybe someone on the editorial board was bending their elbow a little too hard last night.
Comment by Roadrager Friday, May 31, 19 @ 12:10 pm
The debate, especially Moylan and some of the GOP, has definitely gone to the dogs.
I’m struggling with the issue here. If a dog alerts and the person has 30 grams or less, great. No harm, no foul.
But if they have more than 30 grams, or are found to have other drugs, arrest them. Are they suggesting that possession of legal amounts of cannabis makes a drug search illegal?
Also, if they want to retire any of these dogs, I’d love to adopt one. If nothing else, a good dog like this can help me find my stash.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, May 31, 19 @ 12:12 pm
HE CRACKED AN EGG
Comment by BerryOG Friday, May 31, 19 @ 12:14 pm
Deluca just contaminated the House floor with salmonella. well done sir. jeesh…
Comment by Baloneymous Friday, May 31, 19 @ 12:15 pm
I hope Deluca makes Moylan eat that raw egg
Comment by unlikely Friday, May 31, 19 @ 12:19 pm
I called my State Rep’s Office yesterday and learned that my Rep has concerns about impact to safety with driving impaired. I voiced strong support as legalization will be happening eventually anyway and we should enjoy our current advantage over our neighboring states, non of which so much as have medical marijuana. If you support legalization, take nothing for granted and contact your
Rep as they maybe on the fence as my Democratic member apparently is.
Comment by Blue Dogs are Blind, Deaf, and Dumb Friday, May 31, 19 @ 12:19 pm
The 1985 Partnership for A Drug-Free America called. It wants its egg back.
The next deep thinker will probably invoke Nancy Reagan.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, May 31, 19 @ 12:26 pm
==Are they suggesting that possession of legal amounts of cannabis makes a drug search illegal?==
Yes. And Colorado Supreme Court has said the same thing in People v. McKnight, 2019 CO 36 (CO Sup Ct) The case of course doesn’t control here, but is persuasive.
Comment by Leslie K Friday, May 31, 19 @ 12:35 pm
Are they going to let every representative speak or get to the voting?
Comment by unlikely Friday, May 31, 19 @ 12:36 pm
Rep Stuart who co-sponsored the slow down bill stated that we slowed it down to the last day so that has been accomplished. She sounds like a yes vote.
Comment by Illinois_Sixth Friday, May 31, 19 @ 12:37 pm
===my Rep has concerns about impact to safety with driving impaired====
That is priceless! Has your Rep been on an Illinois road recently??? There are already a lot of “impaired” drivers on the road.
Comment by Big Jer Friday, May 31, 19 @ 12:41 pm
-Are they going to let every representative speak or get to the voting?- a few have skipped but this is going to be a long debate.
Comment by SpfdNewb Friday, May 31, 19 @ 12:54 pm
-Are they going to let every representative speak or get to the voting?- a few have skipped but this is going to be a long debate-
How do they plan to get through everything on the list if they already spent half the day arguing over a plant?
Comment by unlikely Friday, May 31, 19 @ 1:06 pm
I feel like there are a lot of naysayers speaking…
Comment by BerryOG Friday, May 31, 19 @ 1:06 pm
Where am I , kentucky
Comment by Illinois res Friday, May 31, 19 @ 1:10 pm
They’re no longer yielding time for speakers, so hopefully it’s going to wrap up soon.
Comment by BerryOG Friday, May 31, 19 @ 1:11 pm
http://www.ilga.gov/houseaudvid.asp#
Comment by S. Ballgame Friday, May 31, 19 @ 1:31 pm
====Tribune reported today (Jan. 6) that only 44 percent of sniffer dogs’ positive signals led to the actual discovery of drugs or paraphernalia. The Tribune’s analysis also shows that among drug alert roadside traffic stops of Hispanic drivers, the sniffer dogs’ success rate was 27 percent.
https://www.livescience.com/9215-police-dogs-sniff-drugs.html
Perhaps dog sniffing drugs aren’t a great idea at all? Worse than a coin flip doesn’t seem like an effective tool.
Comment by ArchPundit Friday, May 31, 19 @ 1:35 pm
My heart is breaking. I feel sick. They’re all saying no. Even supporters want 10 more years to “look at it”.
Comment by S. Ballgame Friday, May 31, 19 @ 1:43 pm
They keep referencing a Denver Post article on traffic fatalities from “last week”, but I sure can’t find it.
Comment by KSDinCU Friday, May 31, 19 @ 1:45 pm
All “no’s”
Comment by S. Ballgame Friday, May 31, 19 @ 1:49 pm
People who don’t support the legislation often cite concerns for people who might be harmed by legalization.
What I think they fail to take into account is the vast number of people already harmed by it remaining illegal. This includes people who’ve been arrested or jailed for it and their friends and family. This also includes the people who would use it medicinally, but who can’t because their condition doesn’t qualify under existing law even though it would be a tremendous help to them.
We can always fix any issues at a later time, but please, pass this law now to help the people hurt by criminalization.
Comment by Techie Friday, May 31, 19 @ 1:49 pm
I think a lot of the naysayers speaking up are republicans. The house has 74 democrats and 44 republicans
Comment by BerryOG Friday, May 31, 19 @ 1:50 pm
-How do they plan to get through everything on the list if they already spent half the day arguing over a plant?- This is going to be a long day and probably night for everyone in the state house.
Comment by SpfdNewb Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:00 pm
Stay classy, NG. New motto: “Pursuing the past into insolvency.”
Comment by Jibba Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:01 pm
Black lady will vote “no” because her grandparents were caught and locked up???
Comment by S. Ballgame Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:02 pm
If this doesn’t pass–and it looks like it won’t–can this be put on ballot initiative?
Comment by Justin Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:04 pm
Could Pritzker override house and sign senate bill???
Comment by S. Ballgame Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:05 pm
does anyone have a tally going on where this could end up?
Comment by arya stark Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:09 pm
These comments are classic….:)
Comment by McGuppin Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:09 pm
Listening to Rep. Thapedi ask his questions, and expect a response from Rep. Cassidy, I can only imagine how intelligent and groundbreaking his speech sounded in his head last night while he was writing and rehearsing it. This is all just grandstanding.
Comment by Loki Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:15 pm
==They’re all saying no.==
Are they? I only count 6 Dem Nos so far. The Dems can afford 14 defections. Maybe more, because a couple of Republicans will vote yes.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:18 pm
==Could Pritzker override house and sign senate bill?==
Um…
No.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:19 pm
Guys, please calm down.
Comment by First-time Commenter Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:21 pm
To the newbies I have to delete, if you’re trying to keep score by listening to the debate you’re doing it wrong.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:23 pm
==When is the next session? It looks like a no this session.==
I’m going to try to say this with kindness. It’s pretty clear that you’re new to close observations of the GA. As such, I would suggest you be…fairly humble in your predictions.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:24 pm
Last speaker now.
Arsenal: Is there anything Pritzker could do other than wait for the next session/new bill?
Comment by S. Ballgame Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:24 pm
The important no’s are those of House Black Caucus
reps. There are twenty Black Caucus members in the House. There were three strong no’s.
The final speaker is up, this is coming to a close for better or worse.
Comment by Hopefull Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:25 pm
Anyone seen a whip count?
Comment by Oldengrey Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:26 pm
==Is there anything Pritzker could do other than wait for the next session/new bill?==
He could address some of the expungement issues under his executive powers, but that may make future negotiations harder.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:26 pm
Regardless of the outcome of today’s vote, I will be lighting up tonight. Either to celebrate or to ease my sorrows. Keeping my fingers crossed and waiting for the vote to begin…
Comment by Loki Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:29 pm
66 yes
Comment by Illinois_Sixth Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:31 pm
passed with 66
Comment by Hopefull Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:31 pm
Done. 66 vote aye. Nice work. Thanks Rep. Cassidy and everyone else involved. This might be the most meaningful reform in a generation. Proud to be am Illinoisan.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:31 pm
Good work. Kudos to those who worked so long and hard on this issue. Your persistence is admirable.
Comment by danray Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:33 pm
See?
Comment by Arsenal Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:34 pm
God bless the women legislature . If not for them it would never seen light of day . Jb you sir are a godsend for the great state of Illinois.
Comment by I’ll res Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:34 pm
Rolling like Sherman through Georgia.
(I figured I’d honor the Eastern Bloc by keeping with the Civil War imagery; unlike them, I’m a Yankee. Like Lincoln and Grant).
Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 31, 19 @ 2:35 pm