Rick Steves Testifies in Illinois in Support of Marijuana Legalization
Rick Steves on the set of "On The Record" in 2013. (Wikimedia Commons)
On Tuesday, travel radio and television host Rick Steves, a NORML Board Member,journeyed to Illinois to testify in support of marijuana legalization effort in the state legislature.
When you legalize marijuana, use does not go up, teen use does not go up, crime does not go up, what goes up ix tax revenue, what goes down is the black market,Stevessaid.
Seventy thousand people are locked up in our country every year, 700,000 people are arrested, for possession of marijuana, not violent crimes. Theyre not rich white guys, theyre poor people and theyre black people. Its amazing that its happening in our country right now and there is just a way out of this.
Steves is well known for his public support of reform and has dedicated a tremendous amount of time and energy in support of outright legalization. During his press conference inChicago, he was flanked by state lawmakers who have introduced the legislation. In theirremarks, they laid out the economic realities of prohibition.
It is clear that prohibition doesnt work and that by lifting cannabis restrictions we can encourage economic development in Illinois, State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) said. We are carefully considering all aspects and potential impacts of ...
