Politics & Government

Bill Introduced to Legalize, Tax Marijuana in Rhode Island

Will Rhode Island lead the way to legal recreational pot in New England? Is it an answer for some of the state's financial woes?

Could Rhode Island be the next state to legalize recreational use of marijuana?

If it did, would Rhode Island see a tax windfall such as in Colorado, which has seen droves of pot-seeking tourists driving in from out of state to pick up legal weed in addition to a strong local market for recreational marijuana use?

These are questions members of the Rhode Island General Assembly will have to ask after a bill that would regulate and tax legal recreational marijuana was introduced on Wednesday.

"Marijuana prohibition has been a long-term failure,” said bill sponsor Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence). “Forcing marijuana into the underground market ensures authorities have no control of the product. Regulating marijuana would allow the product to be sold safely and responsibly by legitimate businesses in appropriate locations.”

A companion bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Edith Ajello (D-Dist. 1, Providence).

According to a release, the measure would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to two marijuana plants (only one may be mature) in an enclosed, locked space; establish a tightly regulated system of licensed marijuana retail stores, cultivation facilities, and testing facilities; enact an excise tax of up to $50 per ounce on the wholesale sale of marijuana flowers applied at the point of transfer from the cultivation facility to a retail store (a special 10-percent sales tax will also be applied at the point of retail sale); and require the Department of Business Regulation to establish rules regulating security, labeling, health and safety requirements.

"Regulation allows us to create barriers to teen access, such as ID checks and serious penalties for selling to those under 21. Taxing marijuana sales will generate tens of millions of dollars in much-needed tax revenue for the state, a portion of which will be directed towards programs that treat and prevent alcohol and other substance abuse," Alejo said.

Miller and Alejo were flanked by a consortium of public officials who represent key stakeholders in both potential decriminalization and past enforcement of marijuana laws.

They were joined by Dr. David Lewis, founder of the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies at Brown University; Michelle McKenzie, Board member of Protect Families First and Director of Preventing Overdose and Naloxone Intervention; former Providence police officer Beth Comery; and former Warren High School and Mt. Hope High School teacher Pat Smith.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here