Rhode Island Senate-Approved Cannabis Legalization

As predicted, the Rhode Island General Assembly approved the decriminalization of recreational cannabis use in the state. It did so just as the house was adjourned for the rest of the year.

A few weeks ago, the hope that this feat would succeed before the house was moved was still very low.

Approved cannabis legislation means there is no penalty for first-time offenders caught in possession of cannabis for personal use. No jail time, no jail record. Now, owning the regulated amount of weed will have the same reaction as a minor traffic violation.

June 22; a historic day for advocacy for cannabis in RI

On that day, the Cannabis Legislation Act was passed by 29 votes to 9. The bill’s main sponsors are Senate Majority Leader Micheal Mccaffrey and Human Services Chairman Joshua Miller.

On that day, the Connecticut governor also signed his cannabis legalization bill. As a result, Rhode Island sits between two states that have legalized adult marijuana use. This could be why the state of Rhode Island is trying to speed up its legalization process.

The organization of marijuana in the state is far from permanent, however, but the first step in overcoming the General Assembly Chamber has been taken.

Chairman Miller, speaking before the vote, stated that legalizing cannabis in the state must have a legal framework. He cited the policy changes in neighboring Connecticut and Massachusetts as examples of why this framework is needed.

Majority Leader McCaffrey, in a press release, focused on the benefits of approved cannabis legalization in the state. Some of these include redressing the injustices inflicted on colored communities and providing access to programs for people affected by the failed drug war. In the Senator’s words, cannabis legislation is as much about reconciliation as it is about expected revenue.

Events leading up to admission

The sponsors, both Democrats, introduced the measure sometime in March, days after the state’s pro-cannabis governor Dan Mckee published his government’s proposal to legalize cannabis.

In addition, a third house-side action was filed by Rep. Scott Slater. This measure also has several co-sponsors.

However, among other things, the Führer’s bill was pushed forward.

Senate President Dominick Ruggerio has expressed interest in implementing the reform by the end of 2021.

In order for cannabis to be available for recreational use in the state, the government must first create a functioning regulatory framework and an associated source of income. The President of the Senate is of the opinion that from a competitive point of view, the longer the state takes to implement all these measures, the further behind it. Given that neighboring states are moving fast to kickstart their recreational cannabis industry. He also encouraged government stakeholders to work with the House to bring about cannabis legalization.

On the other hand, Senator McKee claims that his reason for legalization is in no way related to competition with the states of Connecticut and Massachusetts. He’d rather the state get it right than rush through it and leave loopholes in the way.

What you need to know about approved cannabis legalization

The approved bill allows any adult (aged 21 and over) to purchase and own no more than one ounce of pot. You can also grow up to six plants for personal use. An effective tax rate of 20% can be applied.

A commission is also set up to control and regulate the cannabis market, as well as grant licenses to cannabis companies in the state.

The regulators are also tasked with determining the number of companies that can be approved in a year.

Each municipality should initially have three applicants for admission; depending on whether or not the city allows marijuana stores to be set up. (According to the bill, cities or municipalities can vote to ban these businesses).

A new business is approved for a further 20,000 residents.

If so, Rhode Island may have as many as 130 cannabis dispensaries to meet demand in the state. There will also be healthy competition between these businesses instead of being controlled by a few large entrepreneurs.

The bill requires all sales to be subject to a seven percent tax, a three percent local tax for operations in some jurisdictions, and a ten percent special tax. Everything is collected by the states and municipalities.

What stands out in the bill is the ban on licensing new cannabis growers until July 1, 2023. Rhode Island currently has dozens of licensed growers serving the demand for the medicinal cannabis industry.

Other regulations

Drive: Apart from medical cannabis patients, any other person caught under the influence of alcohol can be punished. Driving under the influence is prohibited.

Criminal record: Individuals with a criminal record of up to two ounces of marijuana will have their files deleted. The courts are given 90 days to process all requests for deletion that have been submitted. These records can also be sealed.

Licensing: The number of business licenses a marijuana company can get has been limited to one. However, these entrepreneurs can invest in multiple establishments. The point is, you can’t have more than one cannabis operating license.

last words

This development comes over eleven years after the state legalized the medicinal use of cannabis products.

The approved cannabis legalization was enforced due to the urgency of the Senate leaders. Leaders believe the state’s residents will flock to Massachusetts and Connecticut in large numbers to buy cannabis products. This would have effectively cut Rhode Island off from tax revenue, and the state would have felt the social impact of drug use.

In the meantime, some Rhode Islanders will have found reasons to join the medical marijuana patients in the state. If that legalization had stalled, the cannabis stores in Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well as the few existing medical marijuana dispensaries in Rhode Island, would have been the biggest winners.

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