Tri-Cities Talk: Many Residents Support Illinois' Legalization of Medical Marijuana

Welcome to Tri-Cities Talk—a feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on current issues facing Geneva, Batavia and St. Charles.

Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked the Tri-Cities community on local Patch Facebook pages.

The use of medical marijuana to treat a very specific list of conditions was legalized in Illinois last week. The creation of dispensaries in the city of Chicago is already underway, in preparation for them to begin dispensing marijuana at the beginning of next year, per the law. That brings us to this week's question.

Do you support the legalization of medical marijuana? Would you have any concerns about a dispensary opening in the Tri-Cities area?

See what people had to say, then share your two cents by joining the conversation in the comments section below. 

Mitch Flores: Dispensaries should be in every town like a Walgreens if it stays solely for medical purposes. I'm curious to see what regulation will be set for Illinois. Considering our strict driving laws and and major crack downs on alcohol consumption. It's a good step in the right direction though. THANKS Gov. Q!!!!! — Batavia Patch Facebook

Suzanne Theuns: For those against this- look forward to the day when you are so sick from chemo and stand in line! Like all other things if you have a problem with it then don't do it, otherwise allow those in need to seek the treatment they need. — Geneva Patch Facebook

Matthew W. Hadley: I heard that they are opening 22 grow facilities. If each facility has 20 employees, thats 440 new jobs. Not to mention the taxes from sold crop, and revenue for clinics... I think this can be good. It may turn the focus to more dangerous drugs, which is great. — St. Charles Patch Facebook

Vicki Bellafiore Williams: One small step in the right direction. It's time to decriminalize it altogether. Given what is scientifically known about marijuana, there is no reason possession and use should be any more criminal than cigarettes or alcohol. — Batavia Patch Facebook

Todd Searcy: Before people start freaking out, oh wait too late. I guarantee that this will be more regulated than any other business that exists in the State. Here in AZ the dispensaries are more secure than a BANK! Also, as Suzanne said when you are faced with a vicious disease you should be able to take something that gives you relief when nothing else will. So become educated before you jump on the FEAR train. — Geneva Patch Facebook

Heidi Mitera: Only knew one person my entire life that needed to smoke to relieve pain from cancer that took her life. Other than that it's all people that just want to party and get some crack pot doctor to sign a scrip for them, in fact one of my friends who had a scrip became addicted to pot and went through withdraws just this last march, had to see it first hand to believe it, she was a wake and bake girl. Super duper sad, this is not progression in the right direction. It's purely a financial incentive for states to approve medical dispensaries. The only good thing that comes from this is that our state will generate more revenue off the pot heads! — Batavia Patch Facebook

Angela Kane: How long until a "dispensary" opens in Geneva? Wanna bet Illinois will become just like California. Those drug dispensing locations will be everywhere. Anyone who suffers from stress or whatever will be puffing away. — Geneva Patch Facebook

Ben Rottschafer: Being "addicted" means you have physical and chemical withdraws from a drug. Neither of which you get from pot, but both from alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes and a ton of other legal substances. — Batavia Patch Facebook

Haleigh Hutchinson: NO WAY! This is ridiculous and dangerous! — Geneva Patch Facebook

Michelle Fatigato-Geen: Cop out, for a drug dependent society!! All B.S!!!!! — Geneva Patch Facebook

So where do you stand on the issue? Tell us in the comments. 

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