Legalization of Marijuana: Two Viewpoints from Local Law Enforcement
- Mark Harrington
You may know it by one of its 1,200 nicknames, such as pot, weed, dope, grass, Mary Jane, whacky tobacky, or loco weed?
You may know its effects: wasted, stoned, toasted, high, buzzed, or cottonmouth
You may know someone who is called a pothead, stoner, or burnout.
Today’s feature story – the new penalties of marijuana possession.
Just this week, Plano became another community to change its local law for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.
It has been happening all over in Illinois while states nationwide have been approving legalization for the use of recreational or medical marijuana or for a small possession amount making it a ticket-based penalty.
In Plano, the city council unanimously approved a new ordinance whereby first-time offenders caught will be subject to a $250 fine to be decided in the city’s adjudication court instead of a county courtroom.
The fact is that the pot amount must be under 10 grams.
Plano Police Chief Jonathan Whowell spoke about the ordinance, one he favors.
However, on the other side of these ordinances stands long-time DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott.
Now the question arises.
Is the decriminalization of marijuana locally the first step towards eventual legalization in all of Illinois by state lawmakers.
Here is Scott’s opinion.
Marijuana can cause disorientation and slower reaction time, which backs up Sheriff Scott’s concern of those behind the wheel of a car.
Next up is Whowell’s viewpoint.
Internet reports states that the decriminalization allows more open jail or prison cells for more serious crimes and allows people to continue their lives where before an arrest could affect their ability to get housing or employment.
With the concern over the increase in the use, abuse and addiction of opioids and heroin in the region, the questions linger, is marijuana decriminalization a good or bad thing?
How will it affect the safety of our communities and the future of our children?
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