After Chicago's mayor asked Illinois lawmakers to consider decriminalizing marijuana, the governor says he's open to the idea.
With Illinois prisons stuffed, there's pressure on the General Assembly to look at sentencing policies. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel earlier this week gave a legislative panel a suggestion: lay off on sending low-level marijuana smokers to prison.
Governor Pat Quinn says he's open to it, but stopped short of endorsing his fellow Democrat's idea.
"I talked privately to him about it. He told me about his ideas. I think they're worth considering, and definitely worth reviewing," said Quinn.
It's a rare area where Quinn and his Republican challenger, private equity investor Bruce Rauner, are in agreement. Rauner likewise says he's open to it, but didn't flat out embrace the concept.
Illinois is in the midst of rolling out a pilot program that will allow people with diseases like glaucoma and cancer to use marijuana for medicinal purposes.
