DEMS’ BLUNT TALK
Gov candidates Pritzker, Biss on board with legal pot, Kennedy wants to study issue
A Pass- around Agenda? Democratic gubernatorial hopeful J. B. Pritzker wants to legalize marijuana as part of his crime- fighting plan, which he unveiled Thursday at the DuSable Museum of African American History.
“We don’t need more studies on this,” Pritzker said. “We need to act. Let’s legalize marijuana. Let’s regulate it to make it safe. Let’s tax it. Let’s reinvest in the hardest hit communities.”
And he’s not alone in a field of primary challengers. State Sen. Daniel Biss, DEvanston, is also on board with legalization, while busi- nessman Chris Kennedy has been a bit more careful with his words, saying he supports decriminalizing marijuana but wants to see more studies done to understand the effects of legalizing the drug.
Either way, victory by any one of those Democratic candidates could mean some big changes for Illinois. A key sponsor of legislation to legalize marijuana said it will be a “longterm” process — meaning proponents would be unlikely to attempt passage until 2019 — when Democrats hope Illinois will see a new governor to replace Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Legalization essentially means adults won’t be arrested, fined or otherwise penalized for recreational marijuana use or possession. Decriminalization is less sweeping. It generally means violators will not be subjected to criminal prosecutions for smaller amounts, often treating it as a civil offense, punishable only by fines — not jail time.
Rauner’s campaign on Thursday wouldn’t comment on his thoughts on le- galizing marijuana. In April, he said he wouldn’t support legalization unless there’s a study of the “ramifications” in states that have legalized the drug.
But Rauner last year signed a bill that decriminalized the possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana, making it a ticketable offense subject to fines of $ 100 to $ 200.
State Sen. Heather Steans, D- Chicago, in January introduced legislation that would legalize and tax recreational marijuana — using the money as a new revenue source for the state.