CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Opponents of Gov. Pritzker's proposal to legalize recreational marijuana are calling on him to slow down the rush to pass the legislation.Critics of the measure say black and brown communities could see an increase in addictions.
Further, said Abu Edwards, a national director of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, these communities won't see many of the financial benefits.
"If it does become legalized, we all know who benefits from it," Edwards, who is black, told reporters Monday. "They don't look like me. They are white men with suits who work on Wall Street who will benefit, on the backs of our kids in our community."
At a different event, Pritzker said, he expects quick passage. He said criminal-justice reforms in the bill are even more important that the tax revenue marijuana would raise.In a statement, Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot says the legislation is an important step toward a fairer system.
