Guest columnist: Decriminalizing pot a step in right direction

April 1, 2009

The city is doomed.  Stinky anti-establishment hippies with their unwashed hemp clothes and ugly moccasins are going to start practicing free love in the streets, or inveigh against social order by staging rabble-rousing protests downtown—or maybe they will even practice free love while protesting. 

That’s what those who oppose the Springfield City Council’s decision to pass an ordinance decriminalizing marijuana would have you believe.  Next thing you know, we’re all driving around with newly-installed driver-side bong holders, and all the town’s gas stations will experience a munchies-related Doritos shortage, right?

Doubtful.  The doomsayers have probably just watched one to many hyperbolic Above the Influence TV commercials.  Decriminalizing possession of 2.5 grams or less of marijuana should generate revenue for the city—a $300 fine isn’t cheap, and would make potential pot purchasers think twice before buying again.  Plus, it has worked well for Joliet, Aurora, Champaign-Urbana, and Bloomington; why wouldn’t it work in Springfield?

So, those who view the City Council’s pragmatic initiative as a harbinger of the 'potacalypse' can rest easy.  The citizenry are not all going to transform into a bunch of half-baked, dreadlocked, drug-addled Phish fans, and Illinois’ capitol isn’t going to be re-named Stonersfield anytime soon.  The decriminalization proposal just lightens the load for the State Attorney’s office, provides the city with another source of income, and gives those caught possessing paraphernalia or a small amount of pot a second chance.

-James Anderson