rate my pitch [View all]

this is an issue statement i am working on for my sister's county board campaign.
please comment/add to this.

The opioid crisis across this country has reached devastating proportions. It is a problem to which there are, as yet, no clear solutions. One thing that will not solve it is more “War on Drugs”. It is not only ineffective, it drains valuable resources from the kind of human services that are the best hope to solve the crisis.
It will require unpresedented cooperation across governments bodies and private sector resources. Continuation of the Affordable Care Act is vital. Many people become addicted because they have pain for which they cannot get treatment. The medical community is
re-examining pain protocols for both chronic and acute/postsurgical pain as well as better treatment approaches for all addictions.
The State of Illinois has been wise to allow medical marijuana for the treatment of many disorders that are tied to chronic pain. One thing that research is showing is that medical marijuana can be an effective substitute for more addicting and damaging drugs, not only opioids, including heroin, but also perscription pain treatments. Without the ACA, many people cannot afford the medical care required to evaluate and issue credentials to be able to buy it legally.
There is a bill currently before the Illinois Legislature to fully legalize marjuana. We should look to the huge windfall that the State of Colorado has reaped by legalizing and taxing recreational marijuana. Decades of research have shown no public health threat from the private, recreational use of mariuana. There is no down side to the public systems, and in fact, relieves law enforcement at all levels. This bill should be passed and businesses that result, not just sales but growing, testing, supply sales, and many ancillary benefits like construction and other forms of directly related employment, should be welcomed in Dupage County.