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Pat Quinn Open to Counties Decriminalizing Pot
Produced by Travis Truitt on Thursday, July 23, 2009
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AP/File |
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn says he's open to local efforts to decriminalize marijuana.
The Cook County Board voted Tuesday to decriminalize small amounts of the drug in unincorporated parts of the county. But Quinn stopped short of endorsing the plan.
QUINN: I think it's important that counties assess what their law enforcement priorities are. Crimes that are not grievous crimes against persons need to be looked at.
The Cook County measure must still be approved by board president Todd Stroger.
Meanwhile, Quinn says the state needs to review corrections policies, including the early release of some inmates near the end of their prison term. That move could save the state more than $100 million.
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Gottbe Kidding // Friday, July 24, 2009 @ 5:48 AM
If the above quote is accurate it is incredibly irresponsible. Policy is more than a midnight abandoning of responsibility for the problem. Since about 50% of Marijuana use is among those under 18 & since marijuana is addictive, a "ticket" seems totally inadequate to address the problems arising from drug abuse. Moreover, policy addresses the relationship between State & local law. Under Federal and State law it is illegal. Good policy demands respect for superior law. President Obama has said he does not favor legalization. If one sees decriminalization as a distinction without a difference, which the County Boards ordinance demonstrates as it abandons responsibility rather sets a comprehensive approach of the problem, then it is an irresponsible, destructive & disrespectful ordinance that only benefits the drug dealer and feeds the business of drug abuse.
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GottabeKidding-Retort, Albany Park // Friday, July 24, 2009 @ 8:46 AM
Hey Gottbe, "addictive?" Is Bill Clinton "addicted" (well, to pot, not obese women ;> ). Is Mr. Obama "addicted"? Regulate & tax it like alcohol. And label it, something akin to "proof" on bottles of one's favorite libation, so the would be smoker has a "heads up" (no pun intended). After all, who wants to see a dazed smoker with the munchies grazing naked in a Trader Joe's aisle?
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Gottabe Kidding // Friday, July 24, 2009 @ 9:13 AM
Fact is Fact - it has an addictive quality and kids are the most vulnerable. Even most favorable statstics show 9 of 100 of "occasional users" and at least 50% of daily users. Labeling is worthless warnings have perverse stimulus on cig. smokers. act is you have no facts. Moreover it is legally questionable a county can overrule state law. No doubt it leaves thoses addicted holding the bag. Finally, the next time you mention Obama you might note he has said he's against legalization. Thus conclusion is the same: law benefits only the dealers and those who need drugs.
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Mike, West Lafayette, Indiana // Friday, July 24, 2009 @ 10:37 AM
Congrats to Gov. Quinn for taking these first baby steps towards legalizing recrecational drugs.
Setting aside the obvious hypocrisy of legaled alcohol and tobacco while other recrational drugs are proscribed, the realization that government has (and should have) higher priorities than chasing cannabis users is long overdue. This is a great step towards benefiting users as well as dealers. Proscribing Cannabis drives it underground, where both types of folks are made more vulnerable to abuse and violence. Making use, sale, and production legal would place cannabis into the free market, where market forces will do much to reduce violence and lower prices and employ the best qualified-- not the most intimidating. Recreational drug use permeates our culture. These folks are everywhere. Why shouldn't they benefit from better laws?
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Gottabe Kidding=WRONG AS CAN BE, San Diego, CA // Friday, July 24, 2009 @ 1:03 PM
The best thing that could happen to this country is they legalize and tax the hell out of drugs. It's not safe anymore to travel to Mexico, nor parts of every big town, due to gangs & drug-territory violence. Legalization & massive taxation will end all this by taking away the massive amounts of money currently involved in the drug trade. Use that new money from taxes (and saved $ from reduced prison populations) to fund education & prevention programs. It works in Amsterdam, and it would work here. Currently our nations drug policies are not just ruining our young people w/ lengthy jail terms, it's also ruining our neighbor Mexico & their neighbors all the way to Columbia. It's OUR problem, and making stricter laws isn't going to help anyone but the companies that build prisons.
Lastly, if your so anti-drug, what the hell do you think Pfizer & the rest of them are peddling? Get a clue or stop talking, or better yet, take your Prozac and relax, change in our nations drug policy badly needed.
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Gottabe Kidding // Friday, July 24, 2009 @ 2:22 PM
Not to argumentative, but since the Huffington Post is after this report, some parting thoughts seem appropriate:
(1) The logic of the pfizer argument eludes me. Its like saying its okay to hit Johnnie because everbody hits johnnie. It isn't.
(2) Keep arguing for the legalization of drugs -- then, despite your superior knowledge and tolerance, I don't have to speak up.
(3) I don't use drugs, but judging from your rant you seem to have a vested interest. Do you?
(4) Assuming it "works in Amsterdam" says little about the sociological and anthropological factors that make it successful and whether they apply here.
(5) I agree the source of demand is a problem - as it is in Europe, the Mideast and Asia. Addiction creates such uncontrollable demand, so lets facilitate it. Yet, as 19th century China demonstrates legalization creates a totally different set of problems while still killing people. Supply, however, also creates demand. Oh, and lets not forget Governments using marijuana and other drugs to help their child soldiers butcher and rape their way across Africa. Maybe we could could tax blood diamonds or child pornography ... . if the pusher can prey on kids why not everybody ... golly gee people will do it anyway. Lets tax it!
(6) Finally, treating drug useage as a public health problem is a far cry from merely locking the door and throwing away the key. The rub here is the ordinance makes no pretence at addressing it as a public health problem. After all, for the sake of the children, its only a ticket.
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mark, bucktown // Friday, July 24, 2009 @ 2:25 PM
um...alcohal and cigarettes are addictive. so are roller coasters and video games. let's collect taxes on the pot trade and get out of this depression.
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doodahman, chicago // Friday, July 24, 2009 @ 2:32 PM
Gottabekidding is high on something. In 10,000 years of known usage, no amount of marijuana dosage has ever resulted in a single death. As for the so called, "addictive quality" there is no actual evidence to back this up and the reality of the situation completely undermines the argument. 20 million Americans use pot regularly, and yet there are less than 2 million coke addicts, less than a million meth addicts, and less than 500,000 heroin addicts. Of course, by far the largest percentage of users, and the largest gross numbers of users, who are addicts are addicts of tobacco, alcohol and pharmaceutical drugs. Dude, you're a fool, and it's apparent from this string that your foolishness is no longer acceptable in polite company. The only people that have "vested interests" in the legalization debate are worthless do nothing drug warriors who would actually have to find useful jobs that accomplish something if the pot criminalization boondoggle were brought to an end. Oh, and you "don't do drugs"? Har dee har har. I bet you drink and/or smoke, take pain pills or tranquilizers. If not, then you really do no nothing about drugs whatsoever.
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Tim, St. Louis, MO // Friday, July 24, 2009 @ 2:50 PM
Yes, Gottabe Kidding you are really foolish. Do you use alcohol? If you do then you are a bigger hypocrite than you lead on to be. If you don't, that is marvelous, continue with your sensless rant.
The reason we put people in jail for rape, etc.. is because it inflicts on the right of others to not be raped. When a person smokes a joint, it infringes on nobodies right. Therefore it is a victimless crime and should not be a crime at all. If your worried about your kids smoking weed then by all means teach that to your kids. But please, don't put me in jail to teach your little freaks a lesson. It's not my job to teach them. It is not the governments job to teach them. It is yours. Even a fine is ridiculous. If you do want to teach them. Go smoke a joint, and then turn yourself in and pay the ignorant consequences. Lawyer fee, ticket fee, courtcosts, probation fee, etc... Then you, and only you can show them what the penalties are. It is not fun, and to the people who choose to think outside of the government thinkless tank, it is offensive. We are not criminals, we are not your childrens role models. Please think about your words before you use them.
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Gottabe Kidding // Friday, July 24, 2009 @ 3:07 PM
Agreed - there seems to be no record death resulting from use alone. so what?
Subjective knowledge is by definition not objective. Think about it.
Since I must leave this site however let me leave you with a true story.
In the 1960s & 1970's when the cities were in a state of revolt it was typical for drugs to flow unchecked into the African American community. The vanguard of that flow was marijuana. some thought it was being directed by the govt. Other thought it was just the Govt turning its head. Community activists fought against it as the objective result of that flow was to devestate vast parts of the cities youth.
Now you can pretend to know what you think you know - but the facts are you know only enough to be dangerously wrong.
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D's Nutz, Brooklyn, NY // Friday, July 24, 2009 @ 3:12 PM
The problem is that Marijuana laws are based on a LIE from the early 1900s. Hemp and Mary-J having many healing properties and there are many medical studies in the last 20 years to support this.
As for Federal Law, Federal Law is NOT supposed to usurp State Laws (it's in the Constitution) Alcohol is also a DRUG, as are cigarettes. Drugs are anything that basically alters the mind/mental state. Mary-J and Hemp oils have healing properties that actually make tumors DISAPPEAR! Throwing the "think of the children" coin out there is just bullshyt. Mary-J doesn't cause violence and rapings - if you don't believe me, smoke some. You don't have the ambition to do so. Spain is one example as to where taxation/legalization of Mary-J has been effective. Mary-J has never caused a noted death due to use - at least not documented. The Pfizer quote means that legalized drugs that are on commercials to keep us sick and addicted to 'oh my god I have restless leg syndrome so I need a drug that will cause severe diarrhea as a side effect - yeah, that'll make the legs restless. Think of the whole picture, there, GottaBaDumbazz. I bet u r a Christian Extremist as well that things that gays shouldn't marry and women shouldn't have the right to choose whether to have a child or not. Fascism at its finest!
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WJM, Longmont CO // Friday, July 24, 2009 @ 3:23 PM
First off, prohibition has NEVER been shown to be anything more than a waste of time and money. It has NEVER been shown to cut down on anything but sanity. And 80+ years is more than enough to show anyone who is paying attention that it's not working now, either.
Secondly, cannabis is less addictive that coffee. Trust me, caffeine is FAR worse to quit than cannabis is. There are no physical withdrawal symptoms from cannabis, but there are serious ones from caffeine. Should coffee be made illegal?
Prison and probation rates have skyrocketed since Reagan kicked up the drug war. In CO, we now spend as much on cannabis law as we did 25 years ago on the entirety of the DOC. We can't afford to keep wasting society's resources like this.
If we allow alcohol, which people die from, and cigarettes, which peole die from, and prescription drugs which kill even more people every year than alcohol, then why can't we allow something that has never killed anyone in mankind's entire history?
As to keeping kids away from it, that is FAR easier to do when it's handled through legal systems than illegal ones. Look at the history of Chicago itself, and tell me when the last time you had kids running alcohol was. It was back when alcohol was illegal. That was a mistake, it's time to grow up and realize that the way we're going now is not the way to make the problem smaller. All we are dong is escalating the situation.
The reason there is violence in the drug world is because by making it illegal you have removed legal remedies from those involved. When people can't take their issues to court, violence is the only other answer. It's no surprise that it happens, and it doesn't take a degree in rocket science to figure it out.
By saying that the law is "superior", you are ignoring the entire history of mankind. The law is not superior, it is in fact nothing but foolishness. Ignoring history means that you will only cause yourself the same problems that others dealt with. And the substance doesn't matter, it's the law that makes things worse.
The fact is that more people know about the mildness of cannabis when compared to alcohol and how many less problems it causes. We have to get over this authoritarian foolishness and realize that just because you don't like something doesn't mean that everyone has to go to jail because of it. It doesn't help society to jail so many of it's people, it just helps destroy it.
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IncurableSatirist, Rockville, Maryland // Friday, July 24, 2009 @ 8:16 PM
Here's my take on this subject at Huffington Post:
'Outlaw Mother's Milk' Says Drug Czar
After declaring on Wednesday in Fresno that "marijuana is dangerous and has no medicinal benefit," Gil Kerlikowske, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy said the next target will be "the biggest gateway drug of all, mother's milk."
While ramping up efforts to ensure that no human suffering can be relieved by doctors prescribing marijuana, Kerlikowske said his office will soon begin two new initiatives: first, to outlaw breast feeding and baby formula; and then a campaign to urge teenagers to avoid marijuana by increasing their use of alcohol and tobacco.
MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/don-parker/outlaw-mothers-milk-says_b_244028.html
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ThomasDoubting, Chicago // Friday, July 24, 2009 @ 10:44 PM
If anyone wants to know if marijuana is good or bad,the least they can do, is try it. Perhaps we should ask the people who have some experience, for their opinions.I don't believe anyone is suggesting that it become mandatory. There is no need to listen to the opinions of the people who know nothing about it.
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taxandregulatemarijuana, chicago // Saturday, July 25, 2009 @ 1:17 PM
It's a shame that it took a financial meltdown for governors to begin to understand that it's stupid to lock up non violent people, merely because they had the WRONG plant (non tobacco). You just cannot reason with the government worshipers on this issue. They have tunnel vision and are in massive denial about the REALITY that marijuana has medical benefits, that it DOESN'T make users want to go for a drive like alcohol does, and that taxing marijuana just makes sense.
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Richard J. Rawlings, Peoria // Saturday, July 25, 2009 @ 2:39 PM
I wonder what you all are thinking decrminalize means? It means it should be legal up to a certain amount then you are find if holding more then what has been decriminalized. All Cook County is doing is saving a small few from going to jail for small amount of marijuana. Those that can't afford to pay the fine will still end up in jail! Free the weed and let us be!
Richard J. Rawlings
United States Marijuana Party
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Richard J. Rawlings, Peoria // Saturday, July 25, 2009 @ 2:54 PM
To taxandregulatemarijuana, what make you think the state should tax marijuana when they can slap outrages fines on us for having it!
Richard J. Rawlings U.S. Marijuana Party
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DeCriminalize Now, Chicago // Friday, August 21, 2009 @ 5:30 PM
As presidential candidates, Barack Obama was paid $309,608.00 and John McCain was paid $597,266.00 by the Liquor companies. What do the drug pushing Liquor companies expect for all that money? They want the continuation of the war against Americans who prefer pot instead of booze!
GottabeKidding obviously works for a liquor company.
To save lives President Obama must decriminalize pot, ban liquor advertisements, and mandate breathalyzers at every bar and tavern. Or, bring back Prohibition; when Alcohol was illegal, and pot was not. By the way, the correct name is Cannabis. Marijuana is a Spanish word.
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