Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
They are back. The team that has been working to legalize marijuana is back pushing for legalization in Rhode Island and empowered after Massachusetts' voters passed a legalization ballot question in the 2016 election. Right after the adoption of legalization in the Commonwealth, Governor Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts legislature delayed the implementation.
"We have a responsible, fine-tuned bill, and we should pass it this year," said Josh Miller, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. "This year's bill addresses the issues that have been raised by the governor and stakeholders, and it is streamlined to work effectively with the regulatory structure in place for medical marijuana.
"Polls of residents in towns across Rhode Island show a majority of voters in our state – from Narragansett to Cumberland – support this proposal. Our constituents think it is time for lawmakers to pass this legislation, and we should listen to them. If we fail to pass the bill this year, we will lose significant ground to Massachusetts, and Rhode Islanders will simply be able to cross the border to purchase marijuana there."
The bill called the Cannabis Regulation, Control, and Taxation Act would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow one mature marijuana plant in an enclosed, locked space. It would establish the Office of Cannabis Coordination within the executive branch, which would be charged with coordinating among state agencies to establish a tightly regulated system of licensed marijuana retail stores, cultivation facilities, processing facilities, and testing facilities. The legislation would also create a 23% excise tax on retail marijuana sales in addition to the standard 7% sales tax.
"Eight states have passed laws to regulate and tax cannabis for adult use," Slater said. "We have had several years to see how regulation works in Colorado and Washington, and we have learned important lessons from their experiences. This legislation represents a sensible policy reform that has been shown to work successfully in other states."
According to the group, the legislation contains strong provisions aimed at protecting public health and safety, including mandatory product testing and labeling, strict restrictions on advertising and marketing to minors, and funding dedicated to the enforcement of impaired driving laws. The proposal also includes tight regulations on edible marijuana products, including a limit of one serving of THC per product, a prohibition on products with designs that may appeal to children, and a mandatory product review process. The measure also provides for local control, allowing towns and cities to "opt out" and ban marijuana establishments within their jurisdictions.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: The 2017 Effort To Legalize Marijuana Is Launched In RI
Author: Staff
Contact: Go Local Prov
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Go Local Prov
"We have a responsible, fine-tuned bill, and we should pass it this year," said Josh Miller, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. "This year's bill addresses the issues that have been raised by the governor and stakeholders, and it is streamlined to work effectively with the regulatory structure in place for medical marijuana.
"Polls of residents in towns across Rhode Island show a majority of voters in our state – from Narragansett to Cumberland – support this proposal. Our constituents think it is time for lawmakers to pass this legislation, and we should listen to them. If we fail to pass the bill this year, we will lose significant ground to Massachusetts, and Rhode Islanders will simply be able to cross the border to purchase marijuana there."
The bill called the Cannabis Regulation, Control, and Taxation Act would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow one mature marijuana plant in an enclosed, locked space. It would establish the Office of Cannabis Coordination within the executive branch, which would be charged with coordinating among state agencies to establish a tightly regulated system of licensed marijuana retail stores, cultivation facilities, processing facilities, and testing facilities. The legislation would also create a 23% excise tax on retail marijuana sales in addition to the standard 7% sales tax.
"Eight states have passed laws to regulate and tax cannabis for adult use," Slater said. "We have had several years to see how regulation works in Colorado and Washington, and we have learned important lessons from their experiences. This legislation represents a sensible policy reform that has been shown to work successfully in other states."
According to the group, the legislation contains strong provisions aimed at protecting public health and safety, including mandatory product testing and labeling, strict restrictions on advertising and marketing to minors, and funding dedicated to the enforcement of impaired driving laws. The proposal also includes tight regulations on edible marijuana products, including a limit of one serving of THC per product, a prohibition on products with designs that may appeal to children, and a mandatory product review process. The measure also provides for local control, allowing towns and cities to "opt out" and ban marijuana establishments within their jurisdictions.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: The 2017 Effort To Legalize Marijuana Is Launched In RI
Author: Staff
Contact: Go Local Prov
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Go Local Prov
