Indopedia All Things Marijuana
Rick Steves is taking some time out from providing travel tips to tell Illinois lawmakers why pot should be legal.
The writer and television host spoke Tuesday at a hearing called by the state’s legislators to advocate for marijuana legalization, reports the AP.
“When you legalize marijuana, use does not go up,” Steves said in support of the state’s bill to legalize and regulate adult use. “Crime does not go up. What goes up is tax revenue, and what goes down is the black market.”
Illinois’ current proposal would allow all state residents the age of 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of cannabis, or up to five grams of concentrates or edibles. Adults visiting the state would be limited to half an ounce of flowers and 2 grams of concentrates.
Steves went on to tell lawmakers how parts of Europe view marijuana throughout their drug policies.
“My friends in Europe consider a joint about as exciting as a beer,” he said.
He also testified that testified that the marijuana industry is generating $300 million a year in tax revenue and 26,000 jobs in his hometown of Washington, while reducing the cost of prisons…
