CHICAGO (WLS) -- Illinois lawmakers held their fourth public hearing Monday morning about legalizing marijuana, which provided some legislators with input to help them create a new bill that will be proposed in early February.
During the joint committee hearing in Chicago, testimony illuminated both the pros and cons of allowing anyone over the age of 21 to have an ounce of marijuana on them, as well as taxing and regulating the drug. Even lawmakers who support such a proposal have varying motivation.
RELATED: Illinois Lawmakers Push for Recreational Marijuana
"The goal is to reduce black market, keep teens away and bring in revenue to a safe and secure environment," said state Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said her support is not about revenue, but about ending racial disparities in the criminal justice system.
"Rarely do we see white college students or young professionals, suburban high school students or their prosperous parents arrested or detained for the use or possession of marijuana," she said.
Top image: © Corgarashu | Adobe Stock
