State Rep. Marty Moylan (D-55th) works in the House Chamber in May 2013. (Journal file photo)

Despite what appears to be a bandwagon of support for legalizing the limited use of marijuana by residents of Illinois, local State Rep. Marty Moylan (D-55th) is saying the process must slow down.

Moylan is hosting a public forum on the issue this Friday (Jan. 4) at the downtown Des Plaines Public Library beginning at 7 p.m. At least eight experts in the field have been invited to discuss the negative effects on allowing the use of marijuana by the public. Two of the eight who plan to attend are medical personnel from Colorado where recreational use is permitted.

“My gut tells me we have to be very cautious before proceeding until we have a five to 10 year track record,” said Moylan late last week. He wants to know what the experts have to say about the effects of marijuana use on the human body and whether its use leads to the use of other drugs.

Moylan also said that he is preparing a resolution he will soon introduce in the Illinois House calling for a slowing of legislation that could approve recreational marijuana.

New Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, it’s believed, favors marijuana legislation citing projections that it could produce as much as $1 billion per year in new revenue. Moylan said that this new income, if legislation is OKd, should be earmarked to reduce the state’s huge pension deficit.

State Sen. Heather Stearns and State Rep. Kelly Cassidy are leading the pro marijuana effort. Their plan would permit Illinois residents to buy and possess 30 grams of marijuana for recreational use. Non-residents would be allowed 15 grams. Since 1937, the use and possession of marijuana has been outlawed by the federal government. However, in recent years the stigma of marijuana has lessened and some states have legalized it. Illinois has a cannabis program, adopted in 2014, which allows patients who have been issued special medical cards, to purchase marijuana at a limited number of dispensaries.

“They’re trying to push through legislation without much feedback,” charged Moylan. “I’m not ready to vote on it until I get all the facts. I want to know the real facts of marijuana.” Moylan added that one of the primary reasons proponents of recreational marijuana are now pushing it is because the new governor has expressed support and for financial reasons because of the large amount of projected income.

Des Plaines Police Chief William Kushner is expected to attend Friday’s forum. Others invited are: Ralph Rivera of the Illinois Family Institute; Aaron Weiner, licensed clinical psychologist; Dr. Andrea Barthwell, founder Encounter Medical Group; Dr. Raymond Bertino, and Rev. Gregory Livingston. From Colorado, attending will be Jo McGuire and Dr. Karen Randall.