Testifying in Springfield against the legalization of marijuana were Stephenson County Sheriff's Office Sheriff David Snyder, Lockport Police Department Chief Terry Lemming, and ILACP President James R. Kruger, Jr.

SPOTLIGHT: Should Illinois Legalize Recreational Marijuana?

Written by John Biver

Monte Larrick sits down with Oak Brook Police Chief James Kruger and Kathy Valente, the Director of Operations at Illinois Family Institute, to discuss the Cook County referendum on recreational marijuana, and marijuana legalization in Illinois. Chief Kruger also is the president of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, strong opponents of the legalization of marijuana.

Listen to this week’s podcast here:

Voters in Cook County have an advisory referendum on the primary ballot in March asking them to weigh in on whether the state should legalize recreational marijuana. Cook has 40% of the state’s population, so a vote to legalize there could have a big influence on whether legislators will be emboldened to move legislation. There has been discussion, as well, about having a referendum on the statewide ballot in November.

Kathy Valente and James Kruger both agree that the desire for the tax revenues is not taking into consideration the increased costs to both health and public safety. In Colorado, a state where recreational marijuana is legal, the revenues have amounted only to 8/10ths of 1 percent of the state’s budget.

Among the increased costs to police departments includes not only a rise in traffic accidents, but also potentially expensive equipment to measure impairment levels. Unlike with alcohol, there is currently no easy way to ascertain just how impaired a driver is who has been involved in an altercation.

The experience in Colorado also shows that usage among children also increases when marijuana is legalized, and up to 62 percent of school expulsions are now related to the underage use of cannabis.

As parents have had to deal with underage drinking, they will now have to step up their efforts regarding children having access to marijuana. Today’s marijuana is far more potent than it was twenty-five years ago. Back then, THC levels were roughly 2-3 percent. Today, especially with marijuana-laced candy or brownies, the potency can range between 20 and 90 percent.

February Matching Challenge

As you may know, IFA has a year-end matching challenge to raise $40,000. That’s right, a great group of pro-family supporters are colluding with us to provide a $20,000 matching challenge to help support IFA’s political (non-tax deductible) work to educate and activate Illinois’ Christian community for the March 20th primary.

Please consider helping us reach this goal!  Your donation will help us fight for our values in Springfield in the years to come!  To make a credit card donation over the phone, please call the IFA office at (708) 781-9371.  You can also send a gift to:

Illinois Family Action
P.O. Box 93
Mokena, Illinois 60448