Another big marijuana bust...if this were legal just think of the tax money coming to our state...instead we will housing these people in prison. And how long have these people been making money on marijuana, years? With no federal income tax. No taxes whatsoever. BUT now we the tax payers with be housing prisoners, and we will be paying for their health and dental care. Something is wrong with this picture. Call your state legislature and demand that the broke state of Illinois pass laws to make legal HB30 and HB100...medical marijuana and decrimilazation. Legalize and Tax.

Amen to that Martha! What a pathetic state of affairs when these five lives are going to be DESTROYED through the conviction of Class X felonies--victimless crimes. Makes me sick! It costs IL taxpayers over 60k a year to house one inmate...what a waste!

Get a real job instead of selling pot to minors you people are said to think they had good intentions lock em up they were breaking the law pathetic way to make money!!! Pathetic wsy to make a living yea for law enforcement!

Let them sell it next to you and see the upstanding people they sell to!

Thank you joss...It is a pathetic state of affairs, and it also makes me sick! Write to Kay Hatcher or Jim Oberwiess if you live in the 25th Senate and the 50th House

Let's legalize and tax weed and prostitution - might be the only way we can pay the teacher pensions

Prohibition doesn't work, and who is to say they were selling it to children. There are many many adults that smoke marijuana. I feel sorry for the taxpayers that have to foot the bill for these 6 adults. This is liberty issue.

Execution solves both problems.

Besides housing and food, we will also paying for health and dental care if these 6 people spend time in Illinois prisons.

The fact is that there is enough demand in Kane County to motivate these individuals - and others - to buy, sell, and distribute Marijuana. The efforts and expense of the police investigations could have been utilized in better areas, so there's a direct cost and an opportunity cost there. Not to mention court costs to try these defendants and subsequently house them. Their dealers/distributors will NOT go out of business and the end users will NOT be dissuaded from smoking. They will simply find new sources....and the cycle continues. We need to legalize and tax Marijuana the same way we tax alcohol. The state and local municipalities are too broke to keep chasing mirages. I hope Colorado and Washington illustrate a clean model for IL to do this.

Yes Wes, and maybe we also cut music, art and sports from the public education system. We could fire all the music and art teachers and all the coaches/teachers and then we could pay top money for teachers that teach math and science and be able to fill jobs here in America rather than outsourcing math and science people to fill our jobs. Oh yes and let the kids WALK TO SCHOOL, save money on busing. Please don't start with the teachers and the money they make, the issue in Geneva is over until the teachers contracts expire again in 3 years. Or how about Jesse Jackson and Mark Kirk, really how long should we let our public officials take leaves of absence. Or good old boy Denny Hastert receiving like 5 different penions

Yo Jeff Ward or Rick Nagel any comments??????????????

Well said Martha. Cheers!

Well said Dan, as long as there is a demand the cycle will continue. I went to college in Corvalis OR....why I ever came back to Illinois is beyond me.

Of course, as the good people in CO and WA found out - we can legalize it on a state level, but that won't keep the feds away

Put pressure on the President to lift the federal ban on marijuana...right now it is in the same class as herion and cocaine.

Pathetic

Thanks Wes, write your congressman and state legislature, we the people are the only ones that can make marijuana legal.
Debrorah I am sorry that you find this conversation pathetic, but you my friend are living in a "bubble"...do you live in Geneva?

It's all about the money to you Martha... you people make me sick! Put these law breaking pot pushers in jail where they belong. I wish there was a law for stupidity too... I wouldn't mind paying into that either.

Well, Angela, if there was a law "for" (read "against") stupidity, all you naysayers here would be hit with it! Does anyone else find it odd and amusing that all of the critics on this thread have spelling and/or grammar issues? Hmm...just goes to show one does not need marijuana to be a little 'dopey'! For your ignorance (on both subjects) I recommend education.

I would like to add that we have to keep the big picture in mind here....600lbs of pot is intent to sell/distribute, and most likely to minors (get them hooked). when they get hooked and bored on pot, then it's on to cocaine, heroine, ecstasy, etc..etc... we definitely need to stop this.

Yes it is all about the money, revenue for the state, just like cigarettes, alcohol, gambling, video gambling, horseracing....Marijuana is safer than alcohol...Alcohol kills 40,000 people a year. Alcohol costs the US 250 BILLION a year, through law enforcement and rehab programs, workers productivity and so on. Marijuana is not a gateway drug, alcohol is the gateway drug. And no Elmer the marijuana would probably be sold to more people over the age of 21 than under the age of 21. I could name you at least 100 people I know right now that are homeowners and responsible citizens with children that smoke marijuana, all way over the age of 21.

Let's work on the politicans first...they can serve 1 term and get health insurance for life. Leave the teachers alone. Take a look at how New Jersey Governor Cristie worked WITH the teacher unions, he got results by working together. Which in turn benefits the kids of NJ.

Hi Gary,
Yes those were my signs...and I picked up all my signs on November 7...what does that have to do with this conversation?? What is your point? To embarass me? I ran for Kane Co Board, and I am proud of the fact that I ran.

To take the edge off after a long workday, I switched from a Kettle One Martini to a one-hitter of chronic. Saved money, stomach feels better, no hangover and I made a real cool bong out of one of those little bear honey containers. And I only eat vegetable crisps, not Frito's. Puff puff pass has improved my health.

Hi Jon,
I too do not drink alcohol, gives me a stomach ache and I wake up with a huge headache! I am glad that you gave up the alcohol...I have seen it ruin peoples lives. Please consider joining me in Springfield on Nov 27 in support of HB30...medical marijuana

Why does marijuana need legalized? There are sooo many avenues for good health and relief from whatever health problems people have. You guys act like marijuana is some kind of miracle drug. Drugs like this are a crutch. I've had sooo many friends with headaches/migranes and they know it comes from their addiction to diet Pepsi. I have friends who have MS & Lupus, fibermyalgia, and Migraines and their cupboards are full of ALL kinds of processed foods and sugar....therefore they don't sleep well and they have no energy to go to the gym and their blood sugar is out of wack, but theiry not taking marijuana...they know what changes they need. Just what ailment is so devastating that ONLY Marijuana can cure it or manage it? Healthy lifestyle choices cure a lot of problems from what I can see around me. We're on a slippery slope here folks. And this is what you sound like.... "First we bring in gambling, because families really need to hang on to more of their money and find hope in a big win, then its marijuana and prostitution" because heaven forbid any citizen actually respect the human body or control/bridle their impulses, "then lets legalize crimes against children shown in magazines because those are on the rise and we don't really want any of those people in prison because its way to expensive! ObamaCare will give those children counseling so they'll recover" You all sound like idiots...embracing illegal activities is a gateway to a society's downfall.

Just because a LOT of adults are doing something...doesn't make it right. A few decades ago orgies were all the rage....most people involved with that probably wish they didn't get all those VD's and destroyed relationships and reputations. What do you teach your kids? Lots of people have "good" reasons for not respecting their bodies or other people or the Law so its okay if you do too, because I don't want to teach you how to live by a moral code that promotes healthy bodies and relationships and respect fot the laws of our country. I obviously completely disagree with legalizing marijuana or passing laws for people to protect those who have the lowest standards. My 15 year old son and his friend were offered marijuana along the river in Batavia. They were just there to go fishing. They told an officer and he said he was there for something else and would get to it later. Marijuana not promoted to minors? That's a laugh! Drug dealers are in it for the money! New users means more business... Your comments Martha are a sick joke!

Adults should be able to patake in adult activities without government intervention.

I agree to disagree with you Sherry, the only reason I would like to see HB30 passed in the house is so maybe one day I can buy my marijuana legally...I smoke it to get a little buzz, similar to drinking a glass of wine. I do not think my comments are a sick joke...I feel the same way Billy does. I am an adult and I should be able to do whatever I want in the privacy of my own home. Sherry you are just way to judgemental.

Hey Martha, you can agree to disagree. But all the things you listed above, cigarettes, alcohol, gambling, video gambling and horseracing have done nothing to improve the moral fabric of our citizens, in fact I could write a research paper detailing all of the awful crimes and lives wasted as well as potential and talent as well as the ENORMOUS cost to the taxpayers, due to these above "legalized" ways to make the state money! Here's a few: tax payers flipping the medical bills for those with lung and throat cancer or stomach cancer. I personally lost my grandfather 2 wks before I was born to lung cancer. Mob/gang related crimes due to gambling, not because its illegal, but because good upstanding citizens can't stop gambling, and then borrow from the wrong people. Like my friend Rhonda's ex husband. They lost their home and all their savings and his job due to gambling. He was visiting his 3 kids at his parents where Rhonda lived because of his gambling; when a "bad guy" came to his house and shot him right in the front door of our nice suburban neighborhood. He's dead. I'm not judgmental I live in REALITY. You don't! You live in "buzzed" world. Whose paying attention to the kids when mom has a buzz? huh? Do you know how many accidents were averted raising my four boys because I was alert and able to move quickly? Enjoy your buzz, but its illegal and apparently you think its okay to break the law so I can't respect that.

Oh Sherry, Sherry...we do have vices and we are human...and yes gambling is evil and cigarettes are evil and pot is evil and alcohol is evil. And we might as well get all the tax money we can from these evil things, because unfortunately we do not live in a perfect world. And yes I have seen people's lives ruined from gambling and alcohol. I am happy that you are a good mom and always stay vigilant with your children, you are doing a good job. But you have never met me so please do not insult me with your judgements. I feel strongly about legalize and tax...and was that an adult that offered marijuana to your boy down by the river or was it one of your son's peers?

Orgies? Rhonda's ex was shot by a gangster when he opened his door? The Pusherman is now working the Riverwalk? I want a bowl of what Sherry is smoking, and que up Ina-god-davida. Oh won't you come with me, and take my hand, oh won't you come with me, and walk this land.....Iron Butterfly rules. And don't bogart the joint.

Yes Jon, Sherry's stories are wild, she has some interesting stories indeed. It's funny that a police officer dismissed the boys down by the river, because he had more important things to tend to. Maybe the officer was tracking down those darn wild coyotes that are spreading havoc throughout the Fox Valley area.

My stories are not stories their real. Rhonda went to high school with me and her ex husband was shot in Gilbert about 10 years ago. Look it up. I don't think the news reported it was related to gambling, but I knew her personally and she told me. Give me a break about Orgies, pick up a Reader's Digest from just a year or so ago and there was a real story about a guy who regretted the very large circle he was involved in and the VD's he caught. Look at history for similar stories.
My son was with his friend (both from Geneva) along the river in Batavia, fishing; and they didn't know the kid but thought he might be about 18. They left as soon as he approached and asked them if they were there to buy drugs or wanted some.

well, that clears up everything. I will look up the shooting that wasn't reported, and next time I want to burn a bowl I will do it in batavia, where they don't care. Readers Digest did a story about orgies? Was there a Norman Rockwell pic on the cover?

Well, it seems our conversation has ended in laughter, thank you Jon. I was hoping to have more of a serious debate about legalize and tax. Many people are leery about expressing their feelings about legalizing marijuana and I understand that.

Just how would legalized marijuana work out Martha? Doctors proscribe it to patients who want a buzz and tax payers pay for those who can't afford it? Or legalize it as in selling it at our local nurseries or Target? When Geneva-Red Ribbon Week promotes getting rid of extra drugs in your house so teenagers don't have access I'm sure you and your friends will be lining up to turn your marijuana into the police so teenagers don't get their hands on it. Seriously how exactly is legalized marijuana going to work? Straight laced kids who are afraid to approach drug dealers won't have to, they can take it from their best friend's mother's medicine cabinet! And lastly, I thought our country was serious about uping the intelligence of our citizens so we can compete in the world. Marijuana deprives the brain of oxygen and that kills brain cells. So we essentially are dumbing down our society or at least the portion that takes marijuana. I have plenty to say, but it falls on deaf ears, so I'm bored talking to you Martha. You say I'm judgmental, when clearly I'm the only one thinking about the ramificatioin of legalizing this drug. And you will find the story about Rhonda's husband, it was thought to be a home invasion, they left the gambling angle out at first, but SHE told me face to face it was her husband's bookie. You don't have to believe me. She had no reason to lie and neither do I, but apparently it bothers you that such a thing could be true because you trivialize it. Nite.

I believe it is Readers Digest July 2008...not sure, not ordering a reprint to prove I'm correct about the other story. I'm not doing the work for ya Martha, if you want to poke fun at the story at least read it first.

Sherry I am not poking fun at you and I understand your concerns about the children...but the children will find pot if the children so desire. It is readily available illegally. I am sure that children take alcohol from their parents, and I feel like alcohol is far more dangerous then pot. I consider myself to be intelligent. I am sure your stories are creditable and that they are the truth but I know many people who are very intelligent that are marijuana smokers. I just feel like we the people are paying way too much money to house prisoners, feed them give them health and dental care while they are locked up for marijuana crimes.

Yes I was a sub, I am an election judge, and I ran for Kane Co Board, I have been a CASA. What is your point Tim?

Earlier in this thread, Martha, you wrote:
"maybe one day I can buy my marijuana legally...I smoke it to get a little buzz"

do I need to elaborate?

Again Tim what is your point? People drink alcohol for a little buzz. If you ask me this is a liberty issue. I like smoking pot and I have been smoking it for years. Why are you judging me? Give me a valid reason. 40,000 people die every year due to alcohol. There has never been a reported incident of people overdosing and dying do to marijuana usage. You would rather lock people up for marijuana crimes? Give them food, lodging, health and dental care at the expense of the taxpayer? I would rather legalize and tax. And don't tell me I am some kind of freak that walks around in a buzzed state all day. I am and will always be a productive and caring individual.

Wow Tim, your lack of understanding is also troubling. Legalize and tax is the issue, and I am for states rights deciding the issue. Illinois is on the verge of legalizing medical marijuana. This is not reefer madness Tim, this is an issue about MY liberties. Prohibition did not work with alcohol, and there are already 18 states that have made medical marijuana legal. People break laws everyday on the highway disregarding the speed limits. People dump garbage illegally, people DRINK AND DRIVE illegally. I moved to Batavia in 89, and bought pot from a mother I met in Girl Scouts! OMG!!

Martha, I am very troubled that a judge would knowingly break any law based on their personal beliefs. If its a law and its broken its a crime. If a man chases a criminal down the block who did a home invasion and raped his wife and the man shoots the fleeing criminal, he is breaking the law. Whether he believes the law is just or not. You seem to be saying there is a difference between breaking a BIG law or a LITTLE law, and say if its little and my "liberty" in my view then I can break it and do so openly (i.e. admit it on the internet) I teach my children to not jay walk when they are very tiny. I teach them to not provoke their friends, I teach them to not kill. Yes some crimes are worse than others, but to say a person can disregard all small crimes would totally negate our legal system. Have you ever driven a car in Nogales Mexico? Its madness; no-one obeys stop signs or red/green lights. they just go in a mad snail pace hodge podge of cars. One must obey & respect ALL laws until they are no longer a law. Maybe you smoked a little too much weed if you want to call this judgmental. I hope I never voted for you...

Today during sacrament I opened my bible - the Old Testament. I'm troubled by your comments Martha and others supporting doing drugs...how can you support such things? God gives his children direction so we are not confused, so that we can be healthy and live our lives in peace. I read Isaiah 5:20, 21, 23 "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!" I am not saying you are wicked Martha, I'm saying "Woe!" I'm sure you contribute to society and are a caring individual but you call wickedness i.e. breaking the law and smoking weed good; and call those who do not believe in breaking the law, judgmental. You keep trying to confuse the issue of you wanting a buzz and getting it illegalling or legally; with tax payers not paying for criminals. I am not confused! I would rather pay for criminals to be in jail than pay for the problems they create being out of jail. For you to say they create NO problems is false. To compare your issue to alcohol is to try and lead people astray on the real issue. You are breaking the law! You support others who do! You say they don't sell to minors; you can't know that unless you know them intimately. Do you? If not, you have no idea who they sell to.

Martha, I think you need to think this through.

There is a case to be made for a Libertarian perspective - if a behavior is truly victimless - we should be free to do as we please. If you want to work toward the legalization of drugs - go for it.

The problem is that right now, buying and using marijuana is not legal. As such, it's not victimless. The money spent to get "a little buzz" ends up in the hands of the drug cartels.

These are not nice people, Martha. American agents and patrols are being killed with guns purchased with the proceeds of drug sales.

So until it's legal - if you choose to buy and use, that's on you.

Sherry, I am breaking the law, but I am not an evil person. I think Jesus Christ himself was a marijuana smoker. Please do not shove religion down my throat and try to make me feel guilty. It won't work. Let law enforcement crack down on hard drugs and make marijuana legal. Legalize and Tax is all I am saying. You just voted on November 6th and you can't remember whom you voted for, geez.

(Don't know how long you were a judge, hope I didn't vote in the past for you) NOT calling YOU an evil person. Just your idea. I use Jesus & his prophets to guide my life and I'm not ashamed for believing & obeying commandments & the LAW. Isaiah says Woe unto those who call evil, good. Drugs and the drug cartel are evil. Its not religion I cram down your throat its a perspective that says your logic, your arguments will not go un-noticed or undisputed by me because I believe children are a heritage unto the Lord and if we are to become as little children in order to enter heaven, then we need to, as adults, create a world where our children can grow up to be the best they can; NOT add more legal temptations that thwart their ability to reach their full potential!! Legalizing marijuana won't stop crime. Are pharmaceuticals going to mass produce & dispense marijuana? A buzz isn't medically necessary. Won't there ALWAYS be rebels who are able to grow and sell this drug for less than the FDA could? It cost BILLIONS of $ to pass FDA standards, who will pay that? Won't there still be massive crimes involved in growing and selling it in other countries and our own? $ If we are to leave a better world for our kids to inherit I stand up and loundly say a pot smoking citizenship is not your right and not going to strengthen our nation! The easy access and affordability will lead us to have uncoordinated, hungry, misinformed, short term memory citizens. Side effects per Natl' Geographic

I think Jesus Christ himself was a marijuana smoker.

Put that on your campaign literature, Martha! I have never read a more hysterical thread, in my life. Good luck with that! Not to mention, I will keep my eye out for your name if you EVER sub in the Geneva school district, much less TRY to represent Kane Co. taxpayers. Whatevs.

The war on drugs is a losing battle Jen...I think that I am realistic in this debate and I don't think it is a laughing manner. You are judging me and you don't even know me. I can't sub or run for office, I beg your pardon? The US accounts for 5% of the world's population, but 25% of the world's prisoners. The annual government spending on the US Drug War is $51,000,000,000. 1 in every 99 adults are in prison for non-violent drug crimes. The US has the highest incarceration rate in the world. TAX REVENUE that drug legalization would yeild annually...46.7 billion dollars. Hello!!

Legalization justifies use and leads to abuse, we need not look further than alcohol & gambling for proof. We cannot loosen our laws to meet the habits of those with the lowest most self serving standards. Promises of income from taxation off of a substance quickly turns into a state dependent upon the taxation income. What follows is a dire NEED for a society of consistent users and to crank out NEW users. Easy accessibility hastens the complete mediocracy of our nation's intelligence. Marijuana might not rot the liver as does alcohol, but it is not "good" for the body. It rots the brain! Your argument Martha that we're losing the war, so if we can't beat them join them, makes my stomach ache. Obviously, your 24 year old habit has caused you to not see the big picture here. Its not about money or criminals, its about what kind of society do we want? Think of all the new laws...driving while stoned, how high is too high? Returning to military base high and having access to weapons. I see so many problems. I think your focus is myopic.

Thanks Sherry for not quoting the scriptures to me again...yes our society is evil and no I don't want kids to get hooked on drugs. The US is losing the war on drugs, do you really want to keep paying taxes on this war to make politicans and drug cartels to get richer than they already are?? And yes alcohol and gambling are bad but look at the revenue we get from that. Springfield will be voting again to expand gambling in Illinois to get us out of debt..great! I was a dealer on the boat in Aurora for 9 years I know what gambling does to people. I may be a majiuana smoker and I am out of the closet on the subject. I have never applied for any government hand out except for the Homeowner's exemption credit I get. How high is too high? Marijuana would be treated like alcohol. 21 years of age and if you drink alcohol or smoker marijuana or are abusing prescription drugs or meth or whatever you are on you get a DUI end of story.

Lets not forget Illinois was thinking about passing a pilot program for medicinal purposes of Marijuana. You, Martha and others, have admitted you use it instead of alcohol to get a "buzz". You nor your friends would be able to legally purchase marijuana without lying so you would still be a non-violent law breaker. Hey, if someone stole money from their employers safe...that's a non-violent crime, should we just not prosecute them because it cost the taxpayers so much money?!!! Your argument is flawed! The point I make and I think those against marijuana legalization agree with is we don't want people who get high teaching our kids, being police officers, judges or firemen or in the military. We don't want people who get high driving a vehicle. We don't want our kids going over to their friend's homes to play being watched by a mom who is high. So we like the law as it is, it seems to be working because as you put it there are a LOT of people in jail for abusing this law. We don't loosen a law because too many people are in jail. I come from AZ where Sherrif Joe saves the taxpayers money by putting convicts in tents and gives them pink underware to wear and bologna to eat daily. You want to save some money? There are ways! And those ways don't make the road easier for law breakers. The point of jail is to not just protect citizens but to instill a desire in the convict to never break a law again; avoiding future time in jail.

Sherry once again we agree to disagree...I feel like your argument is flawed and 70% of the USA is with me on this one. Legalize and tax.

At least one of these people should be remorseful for choosing a path that led to the word felony being attached to his grandfather's name. -A surprised relative.