Tag Archives: Toi Hutchinson

Community Opt-Out for Marijuana Dispensaries

Posted on July 17, 2019 by David E Smith

Last month, on June 25th, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation to approve so-called “recreational” marijuana for persons 21 years old and older. When this law (HB 1438 Senate Amendment 2) takes effect on January 1, 2020, it will allow the licensed growth, sales, possession and use of marijuana. The Land of Lincoln becomes the 11th state to legalize this dangerous intoxicant for recreational purposes.

The federal government still classifies marijuana as a schedule 1 drug, which means it remains illegal. According to the DEA website, “Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs …

Posted in Drugs/Alcohol/Addictions | Tagged Allen Skillicorn, David Welter, Heather Steans, JB Pritzker, Jehan Gordon-Booth, Kelly Cassidy, Lindsay Parkhurst, Recreational Marijuana, Toi Hutchinson | Comments Off

Illinois’ Marijuana Juggernaut

Posted on May 22, 2019 by David E Smith

State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and State Representative Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) have spent 2 years developing and promoting their proposal to legalize “recreational” marijuana in Illinois. On May 7th, their 533-page bill (SB 7) was introduced in the Illinois Senate.

Last week the Senate Executive Committee held a 2.5 hour subject matter hearing on this bill, and it was alarming to hear how many concerns and questions they were unable to lay to rest.

Michele Ratini, a social worker from a Leyden High school District 212 in Northlake, testified in opposition to legalization, pointing out that teenagers …

Posted in Drugs/Alcohol/Addictions | Tagged Christian Mitchell, Dr. Albert Mensah, Heather Steans, Kelly Cassidy, Michele Ratini, Recreational Marijuana, SB 7, Toi Hutchinson | Comments Off

Ten Reasons to Oppose Legal Weed in Illinois

Posted on May 8, 2019 by David E Smith

Once again, high potency marijuana is in the news. Governor J.B. Pritzker and several state lawmakers held a press conference this past Saturday to announce their bill (SB 7) to legalize marijuana for "recreational" use in Illinois.

Posted in Drugs/Alcohol/Addictions | Tagged Aging of the Brain, Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Brain Alteration, Heather Steans, heroin, J.B. Pritzker, Karen Randall, Kimberly Lightford, Marijuana-Related Traffic Fatalities, New Jersey, Opioid Deaths, Pacific Garden Mission, Patricia Van Pelt, Pediatrics, Phil Kwiatowski, Philip D. Murphy, psychiatric disorders, Psychological Medicine, psychosis, SB 7, schizophrenia, suicide, tetrahydrocannabinol, THC Concentrates, The Lancet Psychiatry, Toi Hutchinson, Violent Crime | Comments Off

Marijuana Decriminalization Puts Children and Families at Greater Risk

Posted on June 7, 2016 by Kathy Valente

Before the regular session ended on May 31st, State Representative Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) and State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) were able to legislation to decriminalize marijuana passed in both the Illinois House and Senate. This dubious bill (SB 2228) will soon be sent to Governor Bruce Rauner, who will then have 60 days to sign it into law or veto it.

Posted in Drugs/Alcohol/Addictions | Tagged Barbara Flynn Currie, Bruce Rauner, Carol Ammons, Christian Mitchell, Decriminalize, Don Harmon, Donne Trotter, Ed Sullivan, Emil Jones III, Heather Steans, Iris Martinez, Jacqueline Collins, Jason Barickman, Jehan Gordon-Booth, Karen McConnaughay, Kelly Cassidy, Linda Holmes, marijuana, Michael Noland, Michael Zalewski, Napoleon Harris, Pam Althoff, Patricia Van Pelt, SB 2288, Sonya Harper, Toi Hutchinson, Will Guzzardi | Comments Off