In light of the ending of federal prosecution for medical marijuana users and growers, the governor of Illinois could and should legalize the use of medical marijuana.

Not only would that allow use of the plant by people who need it for pain relief, but it would also answer the need for revenue for the state.

Gov. Quinn and state lawmakers could use the taxes collected from growers and users to help eliminate the deficit. It would be the same as when liquor was made legal in the 1920s, which helped the whole country heal from the Depression.

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