HR0157 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0157 LRB101 11298 ALS 56689 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The legalization of recreational marijuana is a major public policy decision that will affect the lives of millions of Illinoisans and should therefore be taken very seriously; and

WHEREAS, Respected stakeholders have expressed concerns about a number of possible health and safety issues that may arise from legalization; and

WHEREAS, Legalization has the potential to increase both access and use among youth users; and

WHEREAS, This potential increase to access and use raises concerns about the effect of marijuana on young people's brains, as research has demonstrated that long-term use of marijuana may be associated with altered brain development, particularly when individuals begin regular use during adolescence because the brain is not fully developed until an individual is 25 years old; and

WHEREAS, There is legitimate concern about the potential increase in cases of "driving under the influence" (DUIs), with many police departments expressing concern that there is not yet a reliable and accurate way to measure the impairment of a driver who may have consumed marijuana; and

WHEREAS, States that have legalized recreational marijuana have seen an increase in homelessness, as people travel to those states for access to marijuana; and

WHEREAS, Research from the U.S. National Institutes of Health has indicated that marijuana use can have an adverse effect on individuals with mental health disorders, especially those with a predisposition for schizophrenia; and

WHEREAS, Several other states, including Colorado, have recently legalized recreational marijuana and are beginning to record data related to this change in policy; such data will illustrate both the benefits and possible detrimental effects of legalization, whether related to health, public safety, the effects on children, or any number of other issues; and

WHEREAS, Such data from other states is a valuable tool that Illinois should take full advantage of before making the decision on the legalization of recreational marijuana; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge lawmakers to slow the process of legalizing recreational marijuana in Illinois, so that lawmakers, stakeholders, and experts alike have the chance to consider the societal impact of legalization and examine all of the data from other states that have passed similar legislation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That lawmakers should not rush irresponsible legislation purely for tax revenues but should consider the health and safety of Illinoisans as their first priority when considering the question of legalization; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Governor's Office and the Clerk of the House.