This year Illinois became the 11th state to legalize the recreational use and sale of marijuana, passing legislation that New York and New Jersey were predicted to achieve first. The bill goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020 and includes a social equity program that will expunge the past records of anyone convicted of marijuana possession charges for 30 grams or under.
Rapper Twista has established himself as a fixture in both Chicago and marijuana communities over the years. (He even has a strain named after him!) In a recent interview with VLAD TV, he recalled how the illegal classification of cannabis negatively impacted his life and how thrilled he was young people wouldn’t have to go through that.
“I remember so many days and so many problems going through legal drama because of smoking marijuana, smoking weed in the city, said Twista, who was arrested for misdemeanor possession charges back in 2016. “But just as much as you’re excited to smoke [legal marijuana], you want to see young people not to get in trouble such as smoking when we have alcohol, which is way worse than marijuana.”
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Not only will legalization help young people stay out of trouble with the law, Twista also observed how it can revolutionize a successful mindset in young people. Those who might’ve been sucked into hustling or gang violence can “become entrepreneurs now,” instead of selling product on the street illegally.
“Once you legalize it, people shift their thinking a little bit, including their product and how they move it,” Twista said. “You’re going to see a lot of young, black men—young men, period—and young women flourish in this era of the legalization of marijuana. I’m looking forward to young people getting money.”
You can watch the whole interview below.
