To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here. Kennedy says it’s “dangerous” to embrace legalizing marijuana Wednesday, Oct 4, 2017 * Chris Kennedy was asked last night during a candidate forum about his position on legalizing marijuana… KENNEDY: I’ve seen the crowd’s reaction on this, I’d like to take a pass on this one. [LAUGHTER] MODERATOR: Are you sure? KENNEDY: No but I think we are all struggling with the same issue, and I’m not going to take a shot at anybody and I certainly don’t mean to. I think it is dangerous to embrace a public health hazard simply because you want revenue. That’s what I think. And that’s what makes, and I’m not aiming that at anybody. I’m cautious because we haven’t studied this issue thoroughly because the Republicans in the Congress in the House and the Senate have prevented the federal government from doing so. We have great research institutions in Illinois, nothing is going to happen under Gov. Rauner. We should challenge a place like Northern or U of I, UIC to study the effects, make an informed decision, defer to the scientists and the doctors and don’t let politicians make scientific decisions. Now, in fairness, Sen. Daniel Biss said a few minutes earlier that he believed marijuana was a “public health problem” But, he said, “Let’s find a public health solution, not a criminal solution.” * Video… * This is, by far, Kennedy’s harshest statements yet about pot. We’ve been tracking him on the blog… * Kennedy dodges marijuana questions * Once again, Chris Kennedy dodges a marijuana question (but not totally) * Kennedy vs. Pritzker on legalizing marijuana * Where do the candidates stand on marijuana? * More candidate responses… Daiber said he supports it because it is now socially acceptable. “If you wanna buy some pot, you probably can on this campus,” he said to laughter. But he wanted Illinois to legalize marijuana by referendum and not legislation. The only boos from the crowd on the night came when Hardiman said marijuana was a gateway to other drugs. “Yes, it’s been proven in addiction studies,” he said in response. “I do support it, but we need to take a good look.” Biss said he supports the legalization of cannabis because the laws are enforced unequally, because he wants to address it as a public health issue and because taxing it could be used for revenue. - Posted by Rich Miller

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