Illinois spends the equivelant of 7 school budgets to jail Marijuana users

   

In 2011 there were over 57,758 marijuana related arrest in Illinois. Did you know that that turns into 224,000 court dates, and cost the tax payers between $33 - $38 million dollars a year? With a lack of funding for education, and a falling state budget crises we as a state are spending the equivalent of 8 public school budgets to simply jail and harass non violent offenders in Illinois. Marijuana which is now legal in 4 states and being de-criminalized across the nation is still being thrown in the faces of Illinois residents. As a state we spend more money on non violent offenders than we do on the homeless. Our state is failing and neither major part has the ability or heart to fight this cause.

     Marijuana has proven to be a cash crop in states like Colorado and Washington, and its even legal in our nations capital but as usual our states legislators are failing our people once again. As a state legalizing marijuana could completely fund a rebirth to our states education system. As for the sappy excuse that legalization will lead to more teen use, that is not true. It has been proven in Colorado that teen use decreases as well our state budget would increase. Not only that but our state would save upwards of $40 million dollars a year in court fees and jail cost. Our state would be in much better share within only 2 years. Sadly we would rather fight about Madigan and Rauner, and the lack to come to terms on a budget.  Meanwhile the everyday resident of our state is either moving out of state, or losing more and more tax money everyday.

     The current state of Illinois marijuana reform is in shambles. There is a group pushing for a 2018 ballot innovative, Growth For Illinois has put a foot forward in the initiative but we can only hope they can reach their goals.  While other states are making leaps and bounds, we as one of the most liberal states in our nation seem to be well behind.