Marijuana Bill Presents Big Problems

The following is a letter to the editor from Park Ridge Police Chief Frank Kaminski, Des Plaines Police Chief William Kushner and Niles Police Chief Dean Strzelecki. It represents the authors' views. Patch is acting as a platform to allow writers to state their opinions.

On April 17, 2013 the Illinois House of Representatives passed HB-001, often referred to as "Medical Marijuana" legislation, by a vote of 61-57 in favor. The legislation is next expected to be called for a vote in the Illinois Senate sometime during the next few weeks. With our collective 90-plus years of law enforcement experience and being the Chiefs of Police in Des Plaines, Niles and Park Ridge, we find it imperative to voice our concerns concerning this pending legislation with members of our community.

As proposed, the legislation includes the following provisions; Allows eighteen-year old children (high school seniors) to get medical marijuana cards without a parent's permission, allows qualifying medical marijuana patients to get 2.5 ounces of marijuana every 14-day period or 13 "joints" per day (with this much marijuana, diversion of the extra will become problematic), allows a qualified medical marijuana patient to drive under the influence of marijuana unless found to be "impaired" (enforcement of "impaired" becomes very problematic) and HB-001 does not allow local government to prohibit the cultivation, dispensing, and use of medical cannabis as authorized (a dispensing site could come to your community). These points are just some of the "high" lights proposed.

Our communities of Des Plaines, Niles and Park Ridge have long been advocates of programs designed to teach and educate students and parents about drug use and the potential pitfalls and addictions that can result. Our departments have partnered with MCYAF, Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation, which has been a recognized leader in sponsoring prevention programs like Parents Who Host Lose the Most and “Talk to Your Kids. Early and Often” in order to prevent drug and alcohol abuse.

Passage of such legislation is contrary to what members of the Maine Township community have strived to achieve for years concerning the use of illicit drugs.

We strongly urge all members of the community to contact their local State Senate and House representatives to voice opposition to this proposed legislation. 

To find your legislators' names and contact information, click here. 

Frank Kaminski, Chief of Police, Park Ridge

William Kushner, Chief of Police, Des Plaines

Dean Strzelecki, Chief of Police, Niles