The Illinois Senate voted 38 to 17 in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana on Wednesday, May 29th. Senator Jil Tracy was among those senators opposing House Bill 1438. Tracy says she thinks the passing sends a message to Illinois youth that marijuana is rubber-stamped ok. “I think it’s a dangerous path to follow,” Tracy said. “I think we can only look to our states that have enacted it and see that it has created an enormous (amount of) pressure on law enforcement and social concerns and homelessness in those areas. We can’t forget that it is federally illegal and (I) don’t think a state should preempt federal power.” The Republican from Quincy added that she suspects to see increased usage and many people trying marijuana who never have before. The bill received just two Republican votes. Some of the particulars include allowing anyone over 21 to possess up to 30 grams of marijuana. A sticking point with Republicans and some Democrats was the home grow component of the proposed law. Now only those with a medical marijuana card will be allowed to grow pot plants at home. The legislation now heads back to the House for final legislative action.
