On Tuesday, the Rhode Island Senate approved one of the three proposals for marijuana legalization in the state.
The measure cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee last week, and on Tuesday, the chamber voted to pass the legislation 29-9.
Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey and Health & Human Services Chairman Joshua Miller are the sponsors for this bill. In March, they introduced their measure just days before the governor submitted his legalization measure in his budget proposal.
“It is a historic day, as it is the first time a bill to legalize and regulate cannabis has reached the floor of either legislative chamber in Rhode Island,” Miller said.
“It is important that we act expeditiously to enact a regulatory framework,” he added. Taking note of policy changes in other nearby states like Connecticut. Earlier on Tuesday, the governor in Connecticut signed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana.
One of the three proposals for marijuana legalization was recently filed in the House by Rep. Scott Slater and multiple cosponsors.
Despite the Senate moving forward with marijuana legalization. House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi recently indicated that the House would not take up legalization until the summer or fall.
Legalization Efforts for 2021
In a press release on Tuesday, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio said that he wants to work with the House Speaker and the Governor to finalize marijuana reform this year.
“The longer we wait to open a cannabis marketplace, the further behind we fall from a competitive standpoint,” Ruggerio said. “I encourage our partners in government to continue to work with us to bring this needed legislation over the goal line.”
Governor Dan McKee said on Tuesday that while he backs legalization efforts; it is “not like one of my highest priorities”. Adding that “we’re not in a race with Connecticut or Massachusetts on this issue.”
Specifics of the Legalization Measure
If signed into law, the bill approved in the Senate on Tuesday, will allow adults 21 and over to purchase and possess up to one ounce of marijuana. They will also be able to cultivate up to six plants for personal use.
Lawmakers will also establish a Cannabis Control Commission to regulate the market and issue business licenses. In addition, marijuana will be subject to the state’s seven percent sales tax, 10 percent special tax, and a three percent local tax for jurisdictions allowing cannabis firms to operate.
One stipulation in the bill states that there “shall be no new cannabis cultivators’ licenses issued prior to July 1, 2023.” Regulators will also need to review data annually. In order to set the maximum number of issuable licenses to meet production demands.
The measure will also require labor peace agreements for marijuana businesses. Driving under the influence will be illegal. However, police cannot consider a person impaired solely for having cannabis metabolites in their system.
The bill will allow people with prior possession convictions of up to two ounces of cannabis to petition the courts to expunge their records. The courts will then have 90 days to act on expungement petitions. Another provision will provide for record sealing.
The Future of Recreational Cannabis in RI
The Senate passing this bill contrasts with House leadership comments. Last week, the House speaker said that it is “possible we will return sometime in the summer or fall” to cover legalization.
The governor also said earlier in June that he “wouldn’t be surprised if this is something that gets carried over maybe to a fall session.”
Meanwhile, Rhode Island recently passed a bill to defelonize drug possession.
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