SPRINGFIELD - Inspired by two states voting to legalize marijuana in the November elections, State Rep Lou Lang is actively lighting up another attempt to legalize medical marijuana in Illinois, possibly as soon as this week's veto session. Twice before, Rep. Lang failed to convince fellow lawmakers to support his effort.
Conservative commentator Steven Crowder found the topic interesting, and decided to visit Ann Arbor Michigan, where medical marijuana is legal. He found an overwhelming number of those under the legal age for consumption that have tried marijuana. "It's not as bad as alcohol," those interviewed told Crowder.
But that's not really the case, Crowder found when talking to a psychiatrist. There are a number of physical repercussions for minors using medical marijuana. Law enforcement says while those using marijuana drive erratically as those on alcohol, it's much more complicated to determine if one is under the influence of pot over alcohol.
Crowder cites evidence that decriminalization would fail to significantly allow the incarceration system to reorient resources to serious offenders. According to data supplies by Crowder, only 1.4 percent of state prisoner are serving time for only marijuana related violations. In addition, Crowder supplies evidence from Los Angeles DEA that legalization actually increases other types of crime.
State lawmakers would be wise to consider other issues about problems and myths of pot usage mentioned in the video.
