BLOOMINGTON — Jason Barickman is confident recreational marijuana use will be legal in Illinois in two years — but a lot of details remain undecided.
"It's rather inevitable that Illinois will (act to) legalize cannabis next year," said Barickman, a Republican state senator from Bloomington, "and I think it's incredibly important that, if that be the case, we sit at the table and make sure it's done in an appropriate way."
Barickman hopes to let local areas opt out of legalizing marijuana; allow employers to impose zero-tolerance policies for use; direct some sales proceeds to law enforcement; and use revoking driver's licenses as a deterrent for underage violators under a recreational marijuana law if passed.
Those areas, and the amount of new money the state will bring in from sales, remain in question as recreational marijuana supporters prepare a push for new legislation under Democratic Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker, who made legalization a centerpiece of his campaign.
"I don't know what the number is, and I'll tell you anyone who says they do is fooling you," said Barickman, who addressed the issue at a McLean County Chamber of Commerce luncheon before more than 100 in local business and government.
"The market is undefined, and one of the moving parts is where we set tax rates. ... If you tax too much, you're not going to dry up the black market."

A worker waters marijuana plants at Revolution Medical Marijuana Cultivation Center in Delavan in 2016.
The Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the University of Illinois’ Project for Middle Class Renewal estimated $525 million would be generated annually, according to a November report.
Barickman said that though he expects proceeds to be used for new programs — "I think the majority view is going to be, this is a new pot of money, let's go spend it on something else," he said — he'd rather they be directed to state debt and resources for law enforcement to deal with legalization, like training and equipment to test impairment from marijuana.
Communities who opt out of legalization could lose out on the new revenue, however — another potential sticking point that Barickman said is likely to be worked out in the legislative process.

State Sen. Jason Barickman talks with Cat Woods, director of finances for the Community Cancer Center in Normal, before addressing a McLean County Chamber of Commerce luncheon Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, about likely state legislation next year that would legalize recreational marijuana.
"My opinion was, look, let's say that Bloomington opted out. The reality is people will still use (marijuana) in Bloomington," said Barickman. "Law enforcement will still be taxed with policing the streets. And I think (they) still deserve some of the money (generated by sales)."
Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner said the city is unlikely to opt out of legalization. Normal Mayor Chris Koos said it's too soon to tell if or how the town would address opting out.
Barickman said he won't vote for any proposal that doesn't allow employers to choose whether or not they can hire or continue to employ people who test positive for marijuana use. He'd also like to include taking away driver's licenses from those who use marijuana before they're 21 years old.
He noted working people and youths are not the demographics that have changed behavior most in the states with legal recreational marijuana.
"It's those who are empty nesters, who may or may not have used cannabis when they were younger, in college. They're rule followers. They don't use today because it's against the law. But they may change their habit. You don't have to raise your hand," said Barickman with a laugh.
Barickman said legalization is not only potentially lucrative but also would end an expensive and failing effort to prohibit marijuana use.
"It's those in law enforcement who are policing it, those in the prosecutor's office who are prosecuting it, those in the county jails and state prisons who incarcerate (violators) and the black mark on those individuals when they're released," he said. "Voters around the state are challenging us to look harder at how we're spending our money, and this deserves another look."
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(10) comments
So will legalization for recreational use legislation include allowing individuals to grow their own for personal use?
Will allowing employers to have a zero tolerance policy mean I'll have to pee in a cup randomly several times a year, in order to keep my job?
yes important questions.
First of all when it is legalized then we should no longer have to test for it for pre-employment. Do they test for alcohol for pre-employment? NO! Now if it becomes an issue like alcohol during employment then yes it should have consequences.
We should be able to grow our own but have a limit as to how many plants in flower and the amount of product on hand. In other words you can't have like 10lbs ready to smoke,eat etc.
The use of the tax dollars should be used for paying down our debt before anything else period and DO NOT create a bunch of new bills to pass the taxes to without cutting out spending. The democrats in this state just LOVE to spend money they do not have and fleece us tax payers for it.
While I agree with the first part of your statement, funny how many Republicans are on-board now that they see the $$ at the end of the rainbow. I see you have selective facts and forget that Republicans and Democrats put us in this place. Republicans are no longer a "fiscal responsible" party anymore. The R's are spending like crazy right now giving all their donors huge tax breaks and more loopholes to make others pay for their stuff. Typical Republican talk...go against it hardcore until the people get what they want, then put all sorts of stipulations and regulations on it and take credit for it.
I don't see how an employer can have a "zero tolerance policy" towards a legal activity.
Well there is zero tolerance for showing up to work drunk. You can't drive a bus or drive large city equipment with a bunch of DUI's other than that we are in agreement.
An employer can have zero tolerance for for someone being impaired on the job. Most employers have that same policy for alcohol. Routine drug testing for a legal substance - particularly for prescribed marijuana - would be difficult take action on. As this move through the general assembly I hope the idea of testing discarded.
good deal
What does a local area 'opting out' of legalization mean? Would it mean it's illegal to use marijuana in your own home in those opted out areas? Or would it mean that marijuana simply cannot be sold in retail stores in those areas?
I won't vote for barickman. He is the one pushing to legalize illegal drugs. Why not just legalize oxy or norco for recreational use. Pothead.
Illinois will only allow a small amount of licences so they can monopolize the prices and no one can grow their own for personal use. Does not sound legal to me . Just a big money grab without incarserating your customer so they can keep getting money. Colorado is closer to being truly legal as they have competition to keep people from overcharging .
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