Sunday, January 14, 2018

Chicago, IL – JB Pritzker joined State Senator Heather Steans and 48th Ward Democratic Committeewoman Carol Ronen at a medical marijuana dispensary Friday to reiterate his support for legalizing marijuana in Illinois.

JB highlighted that no more studies are needed to show that it’s time for Illinois to safely move forward with legalizing marijuana. Here’s what Illinoisans are reading and seeing in the news:

From WQRF:

From WQAD:

From CLTV:

From WTVO:

From Chicago Sun-Times:

Democratic candidate for governor J.B. Pritzker said Friday he would “intentionally include black and brown entrepreneurs” in running legalized marijuana dispensaries and production facilities as a way to address “historically systemic racism.”

In his first press conference of the new year, the billionaire businessman signaled he intends to make marijuana legalization an even bigger centerpiece of his Democratic campaign for governor.

For Pritzker, the issue has the advantage of differentiating him from one of his main competitors in the March 20 primary, Chris Kennedy, as well as from Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Kennedy has taken a more cautious position, supporting marijuana decriminalization but seeking more studies on the effect of outright legalization, while Rauner has said legalizing marijuana would be a mistake.

Pritzker emphasized the benefits to minorities of pot legalization on both economic and criminal justice reform grounds. He also said he would review and commute the sentences of people incarcerated for marijuana offenses.

From Chicago Tribune: 

Pritzker said one major way to differentiate himself and Kennedy was on the issue of legalizing, taxing and licensing the recreational sale of marijuana. Kennedy has said he supports decriminalization and an expansion of the state’s medical marijuana program, but wants further medical and scientific study before legalizing it.

“I want to end the injustice by legalizing regulating and taxing marijuana. Chris Kennedy does not. There are those like Kennedy who say that this should wait. But the truth is, for far too long, marijuana laws have led to discrimination and injustice,” Pritzker said.

From WQRF:

Democratic candidate for Governor J.B. Pritzker wants to legalize the use of recreational marijuana in Illinois.

Currently, only medical marijuana is legal in the state.  Eight other states including most recently California have legalized the purchase and use of recreational marijuana.

Pritzker was joined by State Senator Heather Steans (D-Lake Forest) and 48th Chicago Ward Democratic Committeewoman Carol Ronen at a press conference to support legalization, in part to end the criminalization of possession of marijuana and  to generate tax revenue.

“Our state should legalize marijuana,” said Pritzker in a statement. “In the name of criminal justice reform, consumer safety, and increased state revenue, Illinois needs a governor who is ready to legalize marijuana in Illinois … Most importantly, it is a step forward in reforming our broken criminal justice system. Criminalizing marijuana hasn’t made our communities safer. What it’s done is disproportionately impact black and brown communities. The criminalization of cannabis never has been and never will be enforced fairly, and it’s time to bring that to an end.”

From WMAY:

More people are getting on board the bandwagon to legalize marijuana for recreational use in Illinois.

Democratic candidate for governor J.B. Pritzker held a news conference Friday to reiterate his support for legalization… a position that stands in contrast with opponent Chris Kennedy, who does not favor legalization.

From Vandalia Radio:

Candidate for governor J.B. Pritzker says he’d push to legalize marijuana for recreational use if he’s elected.  At news conference today, the Democrat said no further studies are needed to show that it’s time to move forward safely with legal pot.  Pritzker emphasized that regulating and taxing marijuana will generate much needed revenue for this state. He also pledged to modernize drug laws and move Illinois towards a criminal justice system that gives all Illinoisans a chance to reach their full potential.

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