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Sadly, a few well-intentioned but misinformed law enforcement lobbyists are currently misleading legislators, citizens, the media, and fellow officers about what this year's medical cannabis legislation would do.
Contrary to what some have claimed, this legislation would not allow patients to drive under the influence of cannabis, use cannabis in the workplace, or become drug dealers. In fact, the legislation specifically prohibits such activity.
Perhaps the best safeguard against abuse is the fact that this year's legislation would impose harsher penalties on those who violate the state's existing cannabis laws under the auspices of Illinois' medical cannabis law.
Opponents of this compassionate legislation have also claimed that the therapeutic research program created in 1978 provides patients with all the protection they need. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. If it were true, then why hasn't Illinois enacted this law sometime over the last 30 years?
The truth is that the 1978 law is unworkable because it depends on the federal government rescheduling cannabis, which isn't likely to happen anytime soon. Anyone who claims that Illinois already has an effective medical cannabis law is simply blowing smoke.
Law enforcement officials genuinely interested in understanding this issue need to know that the purpose of this legislation is to provide relief to a very small percentage of sick and dying patients, and will not make cannabis available to anyone who wants it. Nor will such a law suddenly allow thousands of patients to use medical cannabis: Colorado, whose law is seven years old, has less than 2,000 patients statewide. Vermont, New Mexico, Alaska, Rhode Island, and Montana all have less than 1,000 patients.
Besides keeping legitimate patients out of jail, this law would also save officers precious time and resources by giving them more time to deal with real criminals like robbers, thieves, murderers, and rapists. It would also help clear up court dockets, saving taxpayers money.
Unfortunately, we don't often hear from supportive officers because the climate of the law enforcement community does not encourage them to speak out on issues like this. The fact is that many members of the law enforcement community support these compassionate laws. Some of these people can be found right here in Illinois. Sources:
Capt. Jim Ware, Wheeling -
This Illinois resident and former member of the Anchorage Police Department (1968-1971) has been publicly supportive of medical cannabis legislation by actively lobbying legislators, writing letters to the editor, and educating the public. Diagnosed with stage-4 cancer (colon, lymph, and liver) in 2005, after two surgeries and eight months of chemotherapy, he now has a clean bill of health. Medical cannabis helped him get through the debilitating nausea, diarrhea, and general malaise that otherwise rendered him nonfunctional.
James E. Gierach, Chicago -This Cook County State's Attorney's Office attorney (1970-1973) has been referred to as "Illinois' preeminent conscientious objector" to failed drug policies. Specifically, Gierach has spoken out in support of this year's medical cannabis bill: "I fully support this legislation because it would exempt from our current cannabis laws very sick patients who have permission from their treating physicians to use marijuana for legitimate medical purposes." http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php?name=Speakers&bio=212LEAP, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition |
