Carbondale Reporter

“I have been working with the African American community in my area for six years to get licenses and know first-hand this analysis is true. I will continue to fight for economic opportunities for everyone in our region and state,” said Rep. Paul Jacobs.

In a recent statement, Rep. Paul Jacobs highlighted concerns regarding marijuana legalization in Illinois, emphasizing its impact on minority communities. He referenced an opinion by Will Jones III published by AFRO News, which described personal experiences growing up near stores focused on selling tobacco, alcohol, and lottery tickets rather than serving community needs.

“For years, I lived in a neighborhood where the closest store to my house in any direction was a liquor store or convenience store plastered with ads for tobacco, alcohol and the lottery. It was no accident. These stores weren’t serving the community, they were feeding off of it.

“I watched neighbors struggle with addiction, families trapped in cycles of poverty and young people surrounded by messages telling them that their value was in what they could smoke, drink or gamble away.

“Confronted daily with the predatory tactics of the addiction-for-profit marijuana industry—especially in its targeting of minority communities—I became firmly opposed to any legislation that would commercialize marijuana or regulate it like alcohol. (Read the full article HERE.)”

Jacobs has represented Illinois’ 118th House District since 2023 after being elected as a Republican to replace Patrick Windhorst.