By Nancy Thorner -
Illinois is very close to legalizing medical marijuana. In November Massachusetts joined 17 other states and the District of Columbia in permitting medical marijuana use, while Colorado and Washington ventured even further, legalizing the psychoactive herb for recreation.
The legalization of medical marijuana in Illinois which would give high school students even more access to "weed" than they already have at their beck and call, at a time when heavy teen marijuana use is rapidly rising across this nation. This could spell real trouble for local school systems throughout the state of Illinois.
According to Steve Pasierb, President land CEO of The Partnership at Drugfree.org: "Kids who begin using drugs or alcohol as teenagers are more likely to struggle with substance disorders when compared to those who start using after their teenage years." http://www.drugfree.org/newsroom/pats-2011
After having been defeated twice before, on the docket of the Illinois General Assembly on Wednesday, November 28, a vote was to have taken place on HB 30 legalizing marijuana use for medical purposes, once again sponsored by Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie.
Illinois and our children have been saved momentarily. Lou Lang didn't call for the vote on November 28 because he lacked the 60 votes needed for approval. Lou Lang, however, is determined and will not drop the issue, but will keep trying in 2013, even if HB 30 should fail the third time during what remains of the 2012 Lame Duck veto sessions. http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2012/11/28/us/28reuters-usa-marijuan...
Even if HB 30 is finally is approved and enacted here in Illinois, Illinois would still have to establish its own production and distribution scheme for a substance that the federal government continues to prohibit as a Schedule 1 drug, along with heroin. HB 30 would be in conflict with federal and Illinois zero tolerance drug laws. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-12-03/news/ct-met-medical-m...
It was somewhat of a surprise to learn that according to a Quinnipiac Poll released on December 5, a majority of American voters think that marijuana should be legal - 51% to 44%. The biggest divide is on partisan and generational lines. 58% of Democrats and Independents support legalization, while only 31% of Republicans do. Age wise, voters under the age of 30 support legalization by a greater than two-to-one margin. Senior citizens are the only age group where a majority want marijuana to remain illegal. http://justsaynow.firedoglake.com/2012/12/05/quinnipiac-poll-majori...
Age surely must surely bring wisdom. Then too senior citizens are not the product of a culture induced by the media and otherwise that makes it appealing and chic to do what their parents would have frowned upon and rejected when young.
What exactly is the nature of the HB 30, if passed, which would legalize medical marijuana here in Illinois? If you are now in favor of legalizing marijuana in Illinois, hopefully your will change your mind after reading the information below. You might even be motivated to call your representative and urge him/her to vote "NO" on HB 30, when its reintroduced again. http://illinoisfamily.org/marriage/veto-session-medical-marijuana-i...
1. HB 30 allows the creation of 59 medical marijuana stores throughout the state - one for each state senate district in a three-year pilot program.
2. HB 30 allows for a qualified patient to get 2-1/2 ounces of marijuana every 14 days (183 joints, 13 per day). As the most experienced marijuana drug user smokes on the average three to four joints a day, that would leave roughly 135 joints or around 1.8 ounces. Here is the catch: The patient could sell the 1.8 ounces of marijuana for $250 to $550, which could be a problem for schools and teachers.
3. HB would permit a qualified medical marijuana patient to derive a school bus or a car 6 hours after consumption. Research shows that a single joint with a moderate level of THC can impair a person's ability to drive for more than 24 house, slowing reaction time, impairing motor coordination, limiting short-term memory, and making it difficult to concentrate and perform complex tasks.
Anticipating the passage and signing of HB 30 in the near future, Lake Forest City officials, in order to get out in front of the issue, will soon begin examining areas where a distribution facility for medical marijuana might be located should a business request be made? http://lakeforest.suntimes.com/16803544-781/lake-forest-tackles-med...
The Illinois Association of Chief has come out against HB 30 for various safety reason. Beside permitting medical marijuana patients to wait only six hours to drive after consuming marijuana, it allows individuals younger than 18 to qualify for the program.
What would prevent teen age medical marijuana users from giving what they don't need of their 14-day allotments to their buddies? Who is say that the need for medical marijuana can't be faked or that unscrupulous doctors won't prescribe medical marijuana use when not warranted?
It would be foolish to believe, in a state where corruption is second nature nature to its very being, that criminal activity and exploitation would not result. After all, this is Illinois!
Is the legalization of marijuana, or the condoning of it, worth the damage it could potentially inflict upon your high school age child or even younger?
Marijuana IS a gateway drug to cocaine and heroin. The approval of marijuana for medical purposes would put less of a stigma on trying marijuana, where before a measure of fear might have existed for experimentation to begin.
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