RI Lawmakers Propose Legalizing Marijuana

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A group of state senators this week proposed legislation that would legalize marijuana for recreational use in Rhode Island.

The state approved medical marijuana in 2006.

Since 2012, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Washington, D.C., have approved recreational marijuana.

“Marijuana prohibition has been a long-term failure,” said State Sen. Joshua Miller, D-Cranston/Providence, in a statement. “Forcing marijuana into the underground market ensures authorities have no control of the product. Regulating marijuana would allow the product to be sold safely and responsibly by legitimate businesses in appropriate locations.”

Miller is one of several sponsors of Senate Bill 510 to legalize marijuana.

“Eliminating the criminality of personal use of the substance will allow law enforcement to focus their attention on curtailing the more serious and dangerous drugs on our streets,” he added. “Taxing marijuana sales could generate tens of millions of dollars in much-needed tax revenue for the state, a portion of which will be directed towards programs that treat and prevent alcohol and other substance abuse.”

The Marijuana Policy Project said legalization would generate $58 million annually in tax revenue for the state. It conducted a recent survey that found 53 percent of Rhode Islanders approve legalization.

Opponents would point to instances such as last week in North Kingstown—when police said a mom gave her child a plastic bag with traces of marijuana to hold his lunch money—as an argument against legalization.

State Rep. Joe Trillo, R-Warwick, opposes legalization and told ABC6 it could invite more marijuana abuse.

Here’s Miller’s bill to legalize marijuana in Rhode Island:

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