Moylan to Host Public Forum on the Facts of Recreational Marijuana

DES PLAINES, Ill. – State Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, will host a Public Forum on the Facts of Recreational Marijuana on Friday, Jan. 4, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Des Plaines Public Library, located at 1501 Ellinwood Ave. in Des Plaines.

“It is my responsibility to do everything I can to keep everyone in my district safe,” Moylan said. “We need to be cautious and not rush to legalizing recreational marijuana, without fully understanding the effects it may have on our community.”

Moylan fears that rushing to legalize recreational marijuana would have a negative impact on the safety of the community. His planned public forum will highlight studies conducted on the public effects of recreational marijuana in states that have recently legalized it. Moylan will be joined by medical experts from Illinois, Dr. Andrea Barthwell, Dr. Aaron Weiner and Dr. Ray Bertino; as well as medical experts from Colorado, Jo McGuire and Dr. Karen Randall. Also joining Moylan on the panel will be Rev. Gregory Livingston of Chicago, Des Plaines Police Chief Bill Kushner and Elk Grove Police Chief Charles “Chuck” Walsh.

Moylan is concerned that studies in Colorado, where recreational marijuana became legal over four years ago, have shown an increase in traffic accidents that are a result of an increase in impaired driving. Moylan also warns about the rapid increase of homelessness in Colorado, now ranking among the highest in the country.

“Legalizing recreational marijuana simply to generate more tax money is irresponsible,” Moylan said. “Marijuana isn’t this miracle product that will solve all of Illinois’ problems; it is a drug that has consequences. If we are going to have a discussion of legalization, we must strongly consider the societal cost of this drug becoming legal.”

For more information about the event or to RSVP, please contact Moylan’s full-time constituent office at 847-635-6821 or email StateRepMoylan@gmail.com.