Two Cook County commissioners want voters to weigh in.
By Amber Fisher
CHICAGO, IL — Cook County Commissioners John Fritchey and Luis Arroyo are calling for a referendum on whether recreational marijuana use should be made legal for anyone 21 or older.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle backed the commissioners, who want to put an advisory referendum on the ballot during the primary election in March. The commissioners clarified they aren't asking for the county board to legalize recreational marijuana use—they are only asking to put it to a vote.
Preckwinkle is a proponent of legalizing marijuana for recreational use and also advocates for the reduction of law enforcement resources that go to low-level marijuana possession cases.
Fritchey said marijuana possession cases waste millions of taxpayer dollars and use up valuable police resources in Illinois.
Citing Washington and Colorado as examples, Fritchey said legalizing recreational marijuana would bring the state a much-needed $500 million in new revenue. He said polls reveal 70 percent of Cook County residents currently support full legalization.
Fritchey sponsored the state law legalizing marijuana when he was in the Illinois House. He said he plans to introduce his proposal to the Cook County Board next week. If approved, the question would be put on the March 20 primary ballot.
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