By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – When lawmakers and the governor introduced the recreational marijuana bill Saturday, they said a lot about “social justice” and “social equity.”

They said black and brown people are disproportionately arrested and jailed.

“As a child of Chicago, I’ve seen the effects of the overcriminalization of cannabis,” said State Rep. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago). “To be able to stand here and really talk about its effects but also how we are moving forward, it’s a brand new day, y’all. It’s a brand new day.”

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton says it’s obvious now that the criminal justice system has been unfair to people, particularly minorities, involved in marijuana.

“Many were marked as felons and forced to carry a label that limited their educational and economic opportunity,” said Stratton. “Families were torn apart, as loved ones were sent to institutions that disconnected them from their families and communities and babies!”

The proposal would encourage minorities and those arrested and convicted of pot charges to apply for marijuana licenses.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]