Written by Julia Reinthaler and David E. Smith

Next week, elected officials in the City of Springfield will hold a hearing about whether to limit drug traffic and marijuana sales within the city limits. We hope and pray that they will seriously consider an ordinance that would prohibit marijuana retail businesses from setting up shop in Springfield.

It is imperative that local officials hear from pro-family residents, especially the clergy! They need to hear your concerns about the consequences of marijuana sales in the area.

The Springfield City Council has scheduled a Committee of the Whole hearing regarding future marijuana sales for Tuesday, September 10th. The hearing begins at 5:30 PM and will be held at the Municipal Center West, Room 106 at 300 S. Seventh Street in Springfield.

Don’t let proponents deceive you with their “tax revenues” talking points. According to a report published by the Centennial Institute, “for every dollar gained in tax revenue, Coloradans spend approximately $4.50 to mitigate the effects of legalization.” The costs of legal pot are not worth the costs to families, communities and lives.

Although the licensed growth, sale, possession and use of marijuana will be legal in Illinois effective January 1, 2020, the legislation signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker allows villages, cities and counties to opt out of marijuana retail sales. This gives communities the opportunity to say “no” to drug traffic and the retail presence of a federally classified Schedule 1 Drug, a dangerous intoxicant that the DEA deems has “a high potential for abuse.”

Far from being an innocuous drug that the marijuana lobby portrays as safe and even medicinal, marijuana has serious health risks that should alarm any parent and community.

According to a 2017 review from the National Academy of Medicine, cannabis use is likely to increase the risk of developing schizophrenia and other psychoses, and among regular users it is likely to increase the risk for developing social anxiety disorder.

According to a 2018 paper published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, people who used cannabis were almost three times as likely to use opiates three years later.

Another study, released in Australia, cited that patients with chronic pain who used cannabis experienced even greater pain over time, dispelling the myth that pot relieves pain better than other available pain medicines.

To understand the effects that marijuana legalization will ultimately have in Illinois, we need look no further than Colorado to see a cautionary tale of the unintended consequences of legalization.

In the six years since marijuana was legalized in Colorado, the number of drivers involved in fatal crashes who tested positive for marijuana has doubled. There have been increased rates in marijuana-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and higher rates of violent crime. Though legal for 21 and older, more than a fourth of Colorado’s middle and high school students use pot more than once daily. Chronic use by those under 25 can lead to a permanent loss of up to 8 IQ points.

Knowing what we know about the tragic and often irreversible effects of marijuana, we cannot in good conscience permit a retailer to peddle a drug that robs so many youth of their future and compromises the safety of our citizenry. Instead of making Big Marijuana richer and the the City of Springfield a haven for those selling the drug and those seeking to purchase it, let’s make it a refuge for families seeking to shield their loved ones from this drug’s destructive path.

Next month’s meeting might lead to a vote that will shape the future of the City of Springfield.

Take ACTION: Click HERE to send an email to Mayor James Langfelder and all ten Aldermen asking them to reduce drug traffic and protect the families they represent by passing a ban on the retail sales of marijuana. And if you’re able, please attend the September 10th hearing and make your opposition known.

Learn more about marijuana’s consequences at NoWeedIllinois.com.

See the U.S. Surgeon General’s Press Advisory about the health risks of marijuana use.

A bold voice for pro-family values in Illinois!

Click HERE to learn about supporting IFI on a monthly basis.

It doesn’t matter what the communities around the City of Naperville do. If you normalize marijuana use, commercialize the product and increase access, you’re going to see an increase in drug traffic and use in all age categories. It is time to take a stand and keep recreational marijuana out of Naperville!

What: Rally in support of opting out of marijuana retail businesses

When: Saturday, August 31st

Time: 10 AM to 11:30 AM

Where: Central Park – 104 E. Benton Avenue, Naperville (behind the Y).

Take ACTION: Heading out of town this weekend? You can send an email to the entire City Council and the Mayor at once with this address: council@naperville.il.us

It couldn’t be easier! Simply ask your elected officials to limit drug traffic and protect the families and businesses of Naperville by banning retail sales of marijuana.

It is imperative that local officials hear from pro-family residents, especially the clergy!

More ACTION: Come to the pre-Council Meeting Rally Tuesday, Sept. 3rd, 6 – 7 pm at the Dandelion Fountain.

• Like us on Facebook: Opt Out Naperville

• Use our hashtag #OptOutNaperville

>Click HERE for a flyer<

Background

Although the licensed growth, sale, possession and use of marijuana will be legal in Illinois effective January 1, 2020, the legislation signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker allows villages, cities and counties to opt out of marijuana retail sales. This gives communities the opportunity to limit drug traffic by saying “no” to the retail presence of a federally classified Schedule 1 Drug, which is a dangerous intoxicant that the DEA deems has “a high potential for abuse.”

Don’t let proponents deceive you with their “tax revenues” talking points. According to a report published by the Centennial Institute, Colorado Christian University’s think tank, “for every dollar gained in tax revenue, Coloradans spend approximately $4.50 to mitigate the effects of legalization.” The costs of legal pot is not worth the costs to families, communities and lives.

Far from being an innocuous drug that the marijuana lobby portrays as safe and even medicinal, marijuana has serious health risks that should alarm any parent and community officials.

According to a 2017 review from the National Academy of Medicine, cannabis use is likely to increase the risk of developing schizophrenia and other psychoses, and among regular users it is likely to increase the risk for developing social anxiety disorder.

According to a 2018 paper published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, people who used cannabis were almost three times as likely to use opiates three years later. Another study, released in Australia, cited that patients with chronic pain who used cannabis experienced even greater pain over time, dispelling the myth that pot relieves pain better than other available pain medicines.

To understand the effects that marijuana legalization will ultimately have in Illinois, we need to look no further than Colorado to see a cautionary tale of the unintended consequences of marijuana legalization.

In the six years since marijuana was legalized in Colorado, the number of drivers involved in fatal crashes who tested positive for marijuana has doubled. There have been increased rates in marijuana-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations, increased use in every age category, and higher rates of violent crime.

Though legal for 21 and older, more than a fourth of Colorado’s middle and high school students use pot more than once daily. Chronic use by those under 25 can lead to a permanent loss of up to 8 IQ points, which to a person with an  average IQ, could mean the difference between a good paying versus a minimum wage job.

Knowing what we know about the tragic and often irreversible effects of marijuana, we cannot in good conscience permit a retailer to peddle a drug that robs so many youth of their future and compromises the safety of our citizenry. Instead of making Big Marijuana wealthier and the City of Naperville a haven for those selling the drug and those seeking to purchase it, let’s make it a refuge for families seeking to shield their loved ones from this drug’s destructive path.

Learn more about marijuana’s consequences at NoWeedIllinois.com.

Written by Julia Reinthaler and David E. Smith

Early next month, the Grundy County Board will debate the future of marijuana sales in your area. They will discuss the possibility of passing a county ordinance that would prohibit marijuana dispensaries and marijuana businesses throughout Grundy County.

It is imperative that local officials hear from pro-family residents, especially the clergy!

Don’t let proponents deceive you with their “tax revenues” talking points. According to a report published by the Centennial Institute, “for every dollar gained in tax revenue, Coloradans spend approximately $4.50 to mitigate the effects of legalization.” The costs of legal pot is not worth the costs to families, communities and lives.

Although the licensed growth, sale, possession and use of marijuana will be legal in Illinois effective January 1, 2020, the legislation signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker allows villages, cities and counties to opt out of marijuana retail sales. This gives communities the opportunity to say “no” to the retail presence of a federally classified Schedule 1 Drug, which is a dangerous intoxicant that the DEA deems has “a high potential for abuse.”

Far from being an innocuous drug that the marijuana lobby portrays as safe and even medicinal, marijuana has serious health risks that should alarm any parent and community.

According to a 2017 review from the National Academy of Medicine, cannabis use is likely to increase the risk of developing schizophrenia and other psychoses, and among regular users it is likely to increase the risk for developing social anxiety disorder.

According to a 2018 paper published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, people who used cannabis were almost three times as likely to use opiates three years later. Another study, released in Australia, cited that patients with chronic pain who used cannabis experienced even greater pain over time, dispelling the myth that pot relieves pain better than other available pain medicines.

To understand the effects that marijuana legalization will ultimately have in Illinois, we need look no further than Colorado to see a cautionary tale of the unintended consequences of marijuana legalization. In the six years since marijuana was legalized in Colorado, the number of drivers involved in fatal crashes who tested positive for marijuana has doubled. There have been increased rates in marijuana-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and higher rates of violent crime. Though legal for 21 and older, more than a fourth of Colorado’s middle and high school students use pot more than once daily. Chronic use by those under 25 can lead to a permanent loss of up to 8 IQ points.

Knowing what we know about the tragic and often irreversible effects of marijuana, we cannot in good conscience permit a retailer to peddle a drug that robs so many youth of their future and compromises the safety of our citizenry. Instead of making the county a haven for those selling the drug and those seeking to purchase it, let’s make it a refuge for families seeking to shield their loved ones from this drug’s destructive path.

Next month’s meeting might lead to a vote that will shape the future of Grundy County.

Take ACTION: Click HERE to send an email to County Chairman Chris Balkema and the other seventeen board members to urge them to reduce drug traffic and protect the families, businesses and schools in the county by passing a ban on the retail sales of marijuana.

Learn more about marijuana’s consequences at NoWeedIllinois.com.

A bold voice for pro-family values in Illinois!

Click HERE to learn about supporting IFI on a monthly basis.

Written by Julia Reinthaler

On Monday, August 12, the Public Safety Committee and the Conservation, Planning and Zoning Committee of the Woodford County Board will debate the future of marijuana sales in Woodford County. Both committees will discuss the possibility of passing a county ordinance that would prohibit marijuana dispensaries and marijuana businesses throughout Woodford County. Although the licensed growth, sale, possession and use of marijuana will be legal in Illinois effective January 1, 2020, the legislation signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker allows villages, cities and counties to opt out of marijuana retail sales. This gives communities the opportunity to say “no” to the retail presence of a federally classified Schedule 1 Drug, which is a dangerous intoxicant that the DEA deems has “a high potential for abuse.”

Far from being an innocuous drug that the marijuana lobby portrays as safe and medicinal, marijuana has serious health risks that should alarm any parent and community.

According to a 2017 review from the National Academy of Medicine, cannabis use is likely to increase the risk of developing schizophrenia and other psychoses, and among regular users it is likely to increase the risk for developing social anxiety disorder.

According to a 2018 paper published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, people who used cannabis in 2001 were almost three times as likely to use opiates three years later. Another study, released in Australia, cited that patients with chronic pain who used cannabis experienced even greater pain over time, dispelling the myth that pot relieves pain better than other available medicines.

To understand the effects that marijuana legalization will ultimately have in Illinois, we need look no further than Colorado to see a cautionary tale of the unintended consequences of marijuana legalization. In the few years since marijuana was legalized in Colorado, the number of drivers involved in fatal crashes who tested positive for marijuana has doubled. There have been increased rates in marijuana-related emergency room visits, increased traffic deaths, and higher rates of violent crime. Devastatingly, more than a fourth of Colorado’s middle and high school students use pot more than once daily.

Knowing what we know about the tragic and often irreversible effects of marijuana, we cannot in good conscience permit a retailer to peddle a drug that robs so many youth of their future and compromises the safety of our citizenry. Instead of making Woodford County a haven for those seeking to purchase drugs, let’s make it a refuge for families seeking to shield their loved ones from this drug’s destructive path.

Monday’s committee meetings might lead to a vote that will shape the future of this debate.

Take ACTION: If possible, please attend these meetings and raise your voice in opposition to the sale of marijuana in Woodford County. The meeting details are as follows:

Public Safety Committee

Date: August 12, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: County Board Room
Address: 115 N Main Street, Eureka, IL 61530

Conservation, Planning, and Zoning Committee

Date: August 12, 2019
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: County Board Room
Address: 115 N Main Street, Eureka, IL 61530

More ACTION: Click HERE to send an email to all 15 Woodford County Board members asking them to protect the families of the county by passing a ban on the retail sales of marijuana.

Learn more about marijuana’s consequences at NoWeedIllinois.com.

A bold voice for pro-family values in Illinois!

Click HERE to learn about supporting IFI on a monthly basis.