Over the years there has been much controversy about whether to legalize marijuana in Illinois along with Democratic Governor J.B proposing to legalize the drug. Since 1937, illicit use of marijuana has been prohibited, where a proposal is now expected to begin its sales as early as the year 2020. The use of marijuana was first legalized in 2013, but lawmakers are now considering recreational use available to everyone as long as you are over the age of 21. Legal use of marijuana would allow up to a purchase of 30 grams, and 15 grams for non-residents. However, there are many concerns why marijuana should not be legal in Illinois due to licensed marijuana growers meeting the recreational demand, the negative effects on the youth population, and how it can lead to more vehicle, and motorist accidents.
Considering there are benefits to legalizing marijuana in Illinois but do the benefits outweigh the risk? By legalizing marijuana the demand would rise increasingly up to 550,000 pounds a year according to (Jardine, 2019) which is more than the 16 state’s licensed growers can supply. The marijuana industry would greatly expand possibly leading to prescribed marijuana distributed from individuals into other states. According to (Keilman, 2019) growers would only meet 35 to 54 percent of the demand if marijuana was legal in Illinois. In addition, the systems are unable to meet the demand or supply an excessive amount that would stir up policy concerns affecting public producers, health, and safety officials. Researchers calculated the legal use of marijuana would result in the need for newly licensed growers just to meet the supply and demand, including the tourist that will be added to those purchases. Legislators also reported if marijuana is legal in Illinois, it will cause a shortage of the drug (Keilman, 2019). If these problems occur, people will begin to purchase less expensive cannabis from drug traffickers, and companies.
Next, legalizing marijuana in Illinois could affect the youth population, even though Democratic lawmakers are aiming for the use to be legal at the age of 21 years or older where the youth population will be affected by homegrown cannabis. Legalizing marijuana will allow more people to grow up to 24 plants of marijuana from their homes, which will provide more access and availability to the youth. Prohibitionist from group Healthy and Productive Illinois worries especially about the city of Chicago where legal use could be grown in homes. This is an increased risk that can ultimately affect the youth, despite the youth seeking illegal drug purchases.
127 our experts are availableright now
Finally, legalizing marijuana can lead to more vehicle, and motorist accidents. In the article “EDITORIAL: Illinois, there is a red flag on legalizing recreational pot” a study found that there has been a 6 percent increase in motor accidents in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada where these states have already legalized marijuana (2019). Another similar study was conducted prior a year before which concluded the same results. This will cause a burden on police officers who will find it difficult to recognize drug impairments in individuals along with overuse of the drug. Police Officers would also need a blood test to validate any overuse of the drug which can take up too much time. Also, a New Yorker reported cannabis use has increased in the risk of fatal car accidents, an Illinois accident rate had begun to decrease.
In conclusion, marijuana should not be legal in Illinois due to higher demand, allowing more access and availability to the youth, and its correlation to a vehicle, and motorist accidents. Marijuana should only be legal for medical use only, this will ensure a safe and controlled environment in Illinois. Illinois would have to license new state growers which put the state in a risky position by allowing more individuals to grow cannabis. The youth will become more exposed to marijuana as well since more people can grow it right out of their homes. Furthermore, fatal vehicle and motorist accidents will increase in Illinois because there will be more people driving while under the use of marijuana, or even overuse.
