rhode

Plants derive energy from light. And marijuana – also known as cannabis – needs light just like other plants. In fact, cannabis plants grow best when exposed to an ideal spectrum of light, according to Gary Arnold. Arnold, of North Providence, co-owns a Warwick-based company that sells...

A federal anti-drug program has asked Rhode Island — and more than two dozen other states where medical marijuana is legal — to turn over data about patients in the program. The move has alarmed some who question why the federal government, which has at times appeared to be antagonistic towards...

Rep. Dennis M. Canario's (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton) legislation (2017-H 5551A) that would create a 19-member special legislative commission to study the effects of legalizing recreational marijuana in Rhode Island passed the House of Representatives tonight. "The...

Marijuana legalization forces say they will not participate in a study commission if it is approved by the General Assembly, calling such a group a "flawed delay tactic." Regulate Rhode Island and members of its coalition are instead pressuring legislative leaders to vote on a scaled-back...

Marijuana legalization advocates are planning to introduce a scaled-back version of their legislation that would legalize the drug next year but put the brakes on immediate plans for retail stores. While the previous version of the bill called for legalizing the drug immediately, the new...

The head of the advocacy effort to legalize marijuana in Rhode Island told GoLocal that he believes that there is support in the General Assembly this year to approve the measure -- if it comes to a vote. Jared Moffat with RegulateRI appeared on GoLocal LIVE to make the case for...

Following the legalization of marijuana in nearby Massachusetts, Rhode Island lawmakers have proposed the Cannabis Regulation, Control and Taxation Act – a bill legalizing recreational cannabis use for those age 21 and over. Though this will be the third year that a bill like this has been...

The marijuana industry had an incredible 2016, and pro-legalization enthusiasts are hoping that momentum carries over into 2017. Heading into 2016, there were 23 states that had legalized medical cannabis and four (Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and Alaska) that had legalized recreational pot...

For the seventh consecutive year, lawmakers will introduce a bill that would allow adults to consume marijuana recreationally. But advocates are hopeful that the proposal might finally get a vote this time, in part because of the wins weed had in the 2016 election–some right in Rhode Island's...

The legalization of recreational marijuana in MA is causing some Rhode Island lawmakers to try to catch up to their neighbor and possibly race ahead. Even more approve of the idea of legalizing marijuana for medical use, a step that 28 states have taken. According to a statement from...

Calling the state's new medical marijuana regulations unnecessary and burdensome, the ACLU of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition said they plan to file legislation next year to overturn the rules. The groups are citing several concerns, including a regulation...

Providence, R.I. - Rhode Island leaders are looking at following Massachusetts on the path to legalizing recreational marijuana. Gov. Gina Raimondo said Tuesday she'll take a more serious look after Massachusetts voters approved a pot legalization ballot measure last week. The Democrat...

I came across two cannabis stories this weekend. The first was about Colorado, the epicenter of the legalization movement, which saw 18,000 new jobs and $2.4 billion in economic activity thanks to taxing and regulating marijuana. The other was about Humboldt County, California, the epicenter of...

Providence, R.I. - Question 4, which would approve the taxing and sale of marijuana - instead of keeping it on the list of illegal drugs - is going before Massachusetts voters next Tuesday. But the results are expected to have an impact in Rhode Island as well. "I'm taking a slower approach...

Providence, R.I. — Gov. Gina Raimondo is eyeing whether Rhode Island should legalize recreational marijuana as neighboring Massachusetts considers a ballot question to do just that. "Let's see what happens there and then we'll figure out what we need to do," she told ABC6 News. "I'm open to...

"Post traumatic stress disorder is a very real psychological problem, particularly among our veteran community, and it's our responsibility to provide them with treatment options that can alleviate their suffering," said Sen. Stephen R. Archambault (D-Smithfield, North Providence and Johnston)...

Medical marijuana patients are speaking out against a proposed tax on marijuana plants. Patients say they're concerned the marijuana will become unaffordable. The Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition and the ACLU of Rhode Island are asking Gov. Gina Raimondo to drop a proposed tax on...

Ten years ago this month, Rhode Island legalized medical marijuana. Today, nearly 13,000 patients are enrolled, not to mention more than 2000 caregivers. And 100 new applications arrive every week. Is it sustainable? Ellen Lenox Smith taught seventh grade social studies for years. She was...