By Dalton Rosario
Illinois has officially joined the green list of states sweeping the nation with governors pledging to work alongside legislature and pass cannabis reformation bills that create lucrative institutions for taxation and regulation throughout our country.
As it stands New York’s Reelected Governor Andrew Cuomo (D), Colorado’s newly elected Governor and co-chair of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus Jared Polis, and Virginia’s Governor Ralph Northam and New Jersey have all openly promoted motions for legalization ranging from decriminalization to state-regulated programs for recreational and medicinal adult use.
To add to this list are states such as West Virginia, Rhode Island, Vermont, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri and Texas. Each proof of how the tides of conservatism are changing as mainstream culture continues to increasingly accept and embrace adult cannabis use.
For some of these state governors, up to a generation ago public discussions of cannabis legalization would have been political suicide as marijuana had been deemed entirely outside the realm of acceptable discourse. But now there is room for reason to shed light upon antiquated laws stigmatized with biases that no longer match the needs and resounding beliefs of the people.
In the case of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D), he is determined to make due on his campaign promise and has pledged in his inaugural address to promptly address cannabis legalization, opening the state budget to projections upward of $500 million in tax revenue and a billion dollars of economic surplus by next year.
Not to mention the 24,000+ jobs that would be created in Illinois based on necessity for cultivation expertise, distribution/fulfillment, storage, retail sales, licensing and peripheral services from lawyers, bankers and medical practitioners.
Illinois illustrates just one framework for how several states across our country have developed practical and valuable infrastructure for introducing cannabis legislation safely and effectively throughout our communities. The consensus is universal. Yes weed can ladies and gentlemen.
Yes Weed Can.
