Lawmakers in Rhode Island continue to feel the pressure from activists and groups to legalize recreational cannabis by the end of this year. Earlier, during the regular session, the Senate approved a bill for recreational cannabis legalization. The governor and the House also proposed separate measures. However, the House’s bill came late in the session and stalled before it could receive further discussion before the session ended.
According to the House Speaker, Joe Shekarchi, D, informal negotiations have taken place over the summer to discuss legalization concerns. If lawmakers can come to a consensus surrounding cannabis concerns, there could potentially be a special session.
Around ten organizations, including the NAACP and ACLU, are demanding lawmakers to come to a decision. Another group, Yes We Cannabis Rhode Island, took to social media to involve the general public.
“The war on cannabis has gone on long enough,” the Facebook post said. “Tens of thousands of Rhode Island residents, disproportionately people of color, bear the weight of a criminal record for something that is now legal in both Connecticut and Massachusetts. It is time to stop the harm and repair the damage that has been done here in our state. We urge members of the General Assembly to find common ground and move forward with a plan to equitably legalize cannabis in a special legislative session this year.”
Legalization Bill
It appears most lawmakers agree with recreational cannabis legalization. After all, this past session saw three different legalization bills. But each the House, the Senate, and the governor request separate concerns. For example, the Senate wants to create a separate commission to regulate the cannabis industry. This commission would also approve and distribute licenses. However, the House and Governor Dan McKee, D, believe a cannabis program would be best run under the state’s Department of Business Regulation (DBR).
It’s conflicts like this slow down the legalization process, activists say. But with added pressure, and continued discussions, hopefully a special session will happen soon. Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, D, spoke with local news about a special session potential.
“We’ve had discussions. There’s no fixed date or anything like that,” Ruggerio said. “Obviously we want to see what kind of money comes in from the federal government—which has nothing to do with this particular issue—but that’s why we would come back and see what money we would have to appropriate, and I think that would be a good time to address the cannabis issue.”
Should lawmakers in Rhode Island call for a special session this fall, we will update you with the latest.
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