Darien Police Chief Reacts To Marijuana Legalization

DARIEN, IL — Elmhurst's police blotter earlier this week included four arrests that involved marijuana possession charges. They all came weeks before the Jan. 1 effective date of the state's law allowing recreational marijuana. While the law will certainly change the drug war in Illinois, marijuana-related charges won't be a thing of the past.

Even with the new law, people won't be allowed to use the drug in public places or in cars. Those under 21 will not be allowed to have marijuana, and the drug must be purchased from legal sources, not on the street. Also, a person cannot possess more than 30 grams, equivalent to about one ounce.

Municipalities and counties have the option of banning recreational marijuana businesses within their borders. Elmhurst, Hinsdale, La Grange and Clarendon Hills are among those that have done just that. DuPage County has done so for the unincorporated areas outside municipalities. In a split vote, the Darien village board agreed to allow marijuana sales.

One of the biggest arguments against allowing such sales is the possibility of an increase in driving under the influence of drugs.

"We have heard that other states that have legalized recreational marijuana have seen slight increases in traffic accidents on their roadways," Elmhurst Deputy Police Mike McLean said in an interview. "It's certainly on our radar. A vast majority of our DUI arrests have been for alcohol. Only a small number are DUIs where people are impaired by drugs."

In Elmhurst, he said, the number of marijuana arrests has been about the same this year as last. As for legalization, he said, "It's a brand-new law. There will be a learning curve for the police and the public in complying with the new regulations."

In Darien, the city police have yet to arrest anyone for marijuana possession this year. By this point in 2018, the department had made three such arrests, while in 2014, it had made 26. A lot of the decline has been the result of the state's 2016 decriminalization of smaller amounts of marijuana, Police Chief Greg Thomas said.

In the Darien City Council's debate on legalization, Thomas said he provided information from states with legalized marijuana showing increases in fatal accidents and homelessness. He said he didn't take a position on legalization, but said he was personally against it.

Maybe over time, Thomas said, people would see the danger of mixing marijuana and driving. With alcohol, more people have come to realize they should not drink and drive, he said.

"Back in my youthful days, there were a lot more DUIs than there are now. With Uber and Lyft, people can get a ride with a click of a phone," Thomas said. "I would hope that same type of mentality would come with marijuana usage.

Hinsdale Police Chief Brian King said it's hard to predict the new law's effects on the level of marijuana usage and drugged driving.

"There may be an increase in use. Our message is the same across the board: If you impaired, don't get behind the wheel," he said.

As for how the police are handling marijuana possession cases before the law takes effect, King said, "There is a level of discretion based on circumstances."

In an interview, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said there is an education component to the new law.

"It's going to be legal, but there are certain restrictions that will apply. It will take some time before the public becomes completely aware," Berlin said. "Anytime there is a significant change in the law, it takes time to filter down before people have a full understanding and their behavior adapts to the new law."