The Rhode Island Senate approves legal cannabis

Rhode Island just made history by approving a legal cannabis law. The proposed law was passed on 29-9 earlier this week.

The bill is sponsored by Michael McCaffrey, Democrat and Senate Majority Leader, and Health and Social Services Chairman Joshua Miller, another Democrat. It was launched back in March, and another legal cannabis proposal was tabled in the state by Governor Dan McKee.

“It is a historic day because it is the first time that a bill to legalize and regulate cannabis has reached either of the two legislative chambers in Rhode Island,” said Miller of the bill. “It is important that we act quickly to put in place a regulatory framework.

“Legalizing cannabis is about both reconciliation and revenue,” added McCaffrey, explaining why the law was introduced. “[P]Prohibition policies have had a disproportionate impact on color communities and I believe we need to ensure that all efforts to legalize cannabis recognize and correct these abuses. Low barriers to entry, extermination reforms and broad access to programs designed to improve access for individuals and communities affected by the failed war on drugs are an important and necessary component. “

Not only the Senate and the Governor have submitted bills, but also the House of Representatives. The Rhode Island House of Representatives also has bill backed by Scott Slater, a Democrat. The House of Representatives won’t consider the bill until the summer, or at all, as the Senate moves forward.

Dominick Ruggerio, president of the Rhode Island Senate, claims he wants both the House and Senate to work with the governor to make sure legal cannabis happens.

“In the status quo where cannabis is readily available, Rhode Island has to bear all of the societal costs, but we have no regulatory framework and no associated revenue stream. The longer we wait to open a cannabis marketplace, the further we fall behind from a competitive standpoint, ”he said of the groups coming together and making changes. “I encourage our government partners to continue to work with us to bring this required legislation across the finish line.”

Cannabis advancement in Rhode Island

Mckee admits that while he supports legalization, it “is not one of my top priorities, and also said that we are not racing with Connecticut or Massachusetts on this issue”.

“I think we have to get it right,” he explained of the potential plan moving forward.

The House of Representatives Finance Committee discussed the governor’s ban plan back in April and discussed what action Rhode Island should take.

When this law goes into effect, adults 21 and older could buy up to an ounce of cannabis while owning an ounce. As in other states, adults of legal age can grow up to 6 plants at a time for their own use.

The new market would be regulated by the Cannabis Control Commission to keep track of legal cannabis and to grant licenses to potential sellers in the industry. There would be a 7 percent sales tax on recreational cannabis and a 10 percent special and 3 percent local tax in areas where legal cannabis is allowed.

The draft law also clarifies in a special amendment passed by the Justice Committee that “no new licenses for cannabis growers may be issued before July 1, 2023”. The data and industry would be reviewed annually to “determine the maximum number of licenses to be issued to meet production needs”.

Labor peace agreements will also be required for companies, a move that cannabis advocates support will be supported by those who are union-friendly.

It remains to be seen if Rhode Island moves forward, but it is clear that the bill and other legalization plans in the state have strong support.