Rhode Island Senate approves cannabis legalization plan

The Rhode Island Senate approved a bill last week to legalize cannabis in the state. The legislation, which had previously been approved by the House Judiciary Committee, passed by a vote of 29 to 9.

Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey, a Democrat, and Health and Human Services Committee Chair Joshua Miller are the primary sponsors of the bill, which they introduced in March, just days before Governor Dan McKee unveiled his own proposal to legalize it.

«This is a historic day, as it is the first time a bill to legalize and regulate cannabis has reached the floor of either chamber of the Rhode Island legislature,» Mr. Miller said before the vote.

«It is important that we act quickly to enact a regulatory framework,» he added, noting policy changes in neighboring states such as Connecticut, where the state governor signed a legalization bill last week.

«The legalization of cannabis is as much about reconciliation as it is about revenue,» Mr. McCaffrey said in a press release. «Prohibition policies have had a disproportionate impact on communities of color, and I believe we must ensure that any effort to legalize cannabis acknowledges and rectifies these wrongs. Low barriers to entry, expungement reform, and broad access to programs designed to increase access for individuals and communities affected by the failure of the war on drugs are an important and necessary component.»

In a historic vote, the Senate passed legislation sponsored by the Leader @SenMcCaffrey and Chairman @SenatorMillerRI to legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis in Rhode Island https://t.co/McFWBXIlYu

— Rhode Island Senate (@RISenate) June 22, 2021

Senate President Dominick Ruggerio said in a press release on Tuesday that he wanted to work with the governor and the House to ensure the reform is passed this year.

«Under the status quo, with cannabis readily available, Rhode Island bears all the societal costs, but we have no regulatory framework and no associated revenue stream. The longer we wait to open a cannabis market, the further behind we fall from a competitive standpoint,» he said declared. «I encourage our government partners to continue working with us to ensure that this necessary legislation crosses the finish line.»

McKee, for his part, told reporters earlier today that, although he supports legalization, it is «not one of my top priorities,» adding that «we’re not in a race with Connecticut or Massachusetts on this issue.».

«I think we need to do things the right way,» he said, noting the ongoing discussions with the House and the Senate.

Details of the legalization bill

The bill approved by the Senate on Tuesday would allow adults aged 21 and older to purchase and possess up to one ounce (28 grams) of cannabis. They would also be allowed to grow up to six plants for personal use.

A cannabis regulatory commission would be established to regulate the market and issue business licenses. Cannabis would be subject to the state’s 7.1% sales tax, in addition to a special tax of 10% and a local tax of 3% for jurisdictions that authorize cannabis businesses to operate in their area.

Under a substitute amendment approved by the Judiciary Committee last week, the bill states that 'no new cannabis grower licenses will be issued before July 1, 2023.» Regulators would also be tasked with reviewing the data annually to «determine the maximum number of licenses to be issued to meet production demands.»

The bill has also been amended from its original form to require social peace agreements for cannabis companies, a provision that could bolster support from progressives.