Cook County to put legal weed question to voters

Cook County commissioners on Wednesday unanimously voted to move marijuana legalization talks to the voters, meaning they will see an advisory question on the March ballot.

John Fritchey, D- Chicago, is the chief sponsor and creator of the referendum item. He called it a “logical progression on moving conversations forward on legalizing marijuana.”

“We have to let our constituents be heard, and this is a non- binding step in that direction,” Fritchey said. “I’m very confident that if voters are given the chance to voice their opinions, they’ll show support for this issue.”

Fritchey has been a staunch advocate for legalization in the county. Marijuana works differently than alcohol, tobacco or opioids, he says. Easing access to it “can be one of the easiest things we can do to ease the opioid crisis” because the drug can be used for chronic pain.

The non- binding measure, he says, is more about creating step- ping stones to criminal justice reforms and “unclogging” the criminal justice system than bringing in revenue for the state.

In October, Fritchey called on the Illinois General Assembly to pass Senate Bill 316 and House Bill 2353 that would establish a path forward for marijuana “legalization, regulation and taxation.” Fritchey was also involved in legislation that passed in 2013.