The Case Against Recreational Marijuana: Colorado

Written by Benjamin Smith

Last week, State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and State Representative Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) introduced legislation to legalize recreational marijuana for anyone 21 years-old or older.  These bills (HB 2353 and SB 316) would not only legalize the sale and use of marijuana (possession limit of 28 grams which makes about 60 joints), but also allows people to grow marijuana in their homes or on property they own.  

That is why this week’s podcast is so very important.  During the first half of this podcast, Monte Larrick interviews Jo McGuire – an outspoken critic of legalized marijuana from Colorado. She serves on the board of directors for the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association and co-chairs the Marijuana Education Committee. She is also a DATIA Certified Professional Collector and Trainer (CPCT) and a Certified Designated Employee Representative Trainer (CDERT) who consults and trains professionals overseeing Safety Sensitive Employees in the compliance of federal DOT guidelines for drug and alcohol screening programs. You can visit her website at realmarijuanafacts.org.

In the second half of this podcast, Dave Smith and IFI’s own Kathy Valente discuss Jo’s comments and two other specific bills before the Illinois legislature.

HB 3235 reduces the penalties for possession, manufacturing, and trafficking in heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.

HB 3715 removes penalties for enrolled students from bringing marijuana on public school grounds.

Take ACTION:  Please ask your state representative to vote NO to all four of these bills! Ask them to stop promoting, sanctioning and legalizing marijuana in Illinois. Call your representative at (217) 782-2000. If you don’t know your state representative, please click here.