llinois voters could get a say whether the state should legalize recreational marijuana if lawmakers decide to put the question on November ballots.
A state Senate committee advanced the idea on Wednesday, but a ballot question would be non-binding. That means it would work like a statewide public opinion poll and wouldn’t legalize marijuana even if a majority of voters approve. Lawmakers who want to legalize the drug could get a political boost, though, if voters favor it.
State Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, said putting the matter to a vote would “bring the public into the debate” and “give them an opportunity to register their opinion” as lawmakers debate the idea in Springfield.
If the proposed legislation passes the House and Senate, voters would be asked if they support legalizing recreational use for those 21 and older, under tax regulations similar to tobacco and alcohol.
Oberweis abstained from the vote and said he was “torn” on the issue. He said he sees “definite merits” in hearing public opinion, but questioned whether putting marijuana in the same context as tobacco and alcohol would be fair.
In voting against the ballot question, state Sen. Chris Nybo, R-Elmhurst, named property tax reductions, redistricting reform and term limits for party leaders as questions he’d rather see on the ballot.
“Of all of the issues that we as a state are facing and that we have the opportunity to present to our citizens in terms of an advisory referendum, I would frankly put this one very low down the list,” Nybo said.
Gov. Bruce Rauner has said legalizing it would be a mistake, and police officials have pushed back, too.
Ed Wojcicki, executive director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, said his organization fears recreational legalization could lead to increased accidents and teenage use, adding “we wonder how that is possibly good for Illinois.”
Cook County voters already will get to weigh in on marijuana. Commissioners last year voted to put that question on the March primary ballot.
credit:chicagotribune.com
