Tougher Penalties for Marijuana Proposed

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the active ingredient in marijuana that makes users feel "high." Plants that are specially breeded to produce marijuana with a high THC content are commonly called "kush" on the street. Growers cultivate the plants hydroponically so they can control the light, temperature and humidity to increase the THC content of the plant. This type of marijuana can sell for as much as $600 an ounce making it as profitable as crack cocaine. U.S. Representative Mark Kirk has been listening to law enforcement officials who have been complaining that they have been recovering more of this type of marijuana in raids throughout the area. In response, Representative Kirk has introduced legislation that would increase the penalties for this type of marijuana and would expose first time offenders to up to 25 years in prison. The proposed law would target those who sell or distribute marijuana that has a THC content exceeding 15 percent, or 5 to 10 percentage points higher than average marijuana.

This proposed legislation comes a month after the Illinois Senate approved a bill to legalize medical marijuana in Illinois.

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