RI Lawmakers to Review Marijuana Legalization Bill Tuesday

RHODE ISLAND—The future of marijuana laws remains hazy here in the Ocean State, but there could be some clearing of the air this week as lawmakers prepare to review a slew of bills relating to marijuana legalization and medical marijuana.

A bill, H-7752, sponsored by Rep. Scott A. Slater of Providence that would legalize, regulate and tax marijuana for personal use, will be heard by the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday after the rise of the House in Room 201.

The bill would decriminalize possession of small quantities of marijuana and allow noncommercial cultivation of one flowering plant and no more than two plants in all.

The bill also outlines the rules and regulations for licensed marijuana cultivators and retail establishments.

Slater's bill has the support of Regulate Rhode Island, a group pushing for the end of marijuana prohibition that has been encouraging people who support decriminalization to testify before the committee.

Slater has two other bills before the committee Tuesday, including a bill to add post-traumatic stress disorder as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana and accelerated medical marijuana applications for hospice care.

The other bill would increase the available permits for compassion centers in Rhode Island from three to six with some limitations.

The hearing comes a week after a statewide forum hosted by the attorney general's office that included officials from states where marijuana has been legalized, among others.

Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin said in a statement that while he supports medical marijuana, "while there is a push by proponents in all New England states to legalize recreational marijuana, it is my hope that Rhode Island does not go down that path. There are too many unknowns, and as we learned firsthand at the forum, unintended consequences associated with legalizing recreational marijuana."

But Eric Casey, a regulatory analyst for 4Front Ventures that studies the marjuana market and regulatory issues, said "Instead of continuing to have an out of control underground market, Rhode Island has the opportunity to create a responsibly regulated, legal market. Workers will be better protected, provided salaries and benefits, and paying into the tax system.”

Proponents of legalization are touting the economic benefits for Rhode Island.

“This bill would provide a tremendous economic boost for our state, which is one of several reasons why our state legislators should not delay voting on it,” said Regulate Rhode Island Director Jared Moffat. “This proposal would create dozens of new businesses and thousands of new jobs across Rhode Island. Our state’s unemployment rate is still significantly higher than our neighbors’, and this legislation will put many Rhode Islanders back to work.”

Regulate RI is hosting a news conference at 1 p.m. at the State House ahead of Tuesday night's hearing.

Photo courtesy: Regulate Rhode Island