Illinois’s Gubernatorial Candidate Backs Medical and Recreational Marijuana

Gubernatorial democratic candidate J.B. Pritzker is supportive of continuing the state’s medical marijuana pilot program.

The state’s medical marijuana program is only in a pilot program phase, meaning it’s not permanent, reports McDonough County Voice. The current program is set to expire in 2020. Some Representatives in the state have introduced legislation to legalize recreational marijuana.

Pritzker said, “When someone is suffering…truly suffering…medical marijuana happens to be a real relief for many of them. So we need to continue the medical marijuana program in the state. In fact, we need to codify it and make it permanent. Secondly, I believe we need to legalize recreational use of marijuana. Tax it; make sure we’re getting criminal justice reform around it. We shouldn’t be paying to keep people in prison because they’ve got some marijuana on them. It’s bad for the taxpayers when we do that; it’s bad for the criminal justice system when we do that…It’s ridiculous if you ask me.

Pritzker is clearly on the side of making medical marijuana law permanent in Illinois. He’s also a clear supporter of legalizing, regulating and taxing recreational marijuana. Pritzker has been the most vocal and open candidate regarding his support of marijuana.