POLL: Does Marijuana Decriminalization Make Sense In RI?

The Senate and House have both approved bills for carrying an ounce or less of marijuana, which Gov. Lincoln Chafee said he's inclined to pass during a WPRO interview.

The legislation passed the House in a 50 to 24 vote and passed the Senate in a 28 to 6 vote. Each bill must now pass in the opposite chamber in order to become law. If enacted, Rhode Island would become the 15^th state to decriminalize marijuana.

The legislation could save the state millions of dollars each year, clean the judicial dockets for more serious issues and take away the criminal stigma from an otherwise youthful indiscretion, Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton, Portsmouth), a sponsor of the House bill, said.

Coventry Police Chief Bryan Volpe said that he is against decriminalization as he views marijuana to be a gateway to the harsher drugs. He also feels that first-time offenders tend to get off pretty easily if they are caught with a small amount of marijuana.

"As it stands right now, people who are arrested with a small amount of marijuana are given a misdemeanor charge," Chief Volpe explained. "It is filed and if they don't do anything in a year it goes off their record. If they do violate again, then it's a felony which is a much bigger issue for them. I don't agree with decriminalization because I think they already get a pretty good deal in my eyes for the first offense."

"Since the drug is still illegal, decriminalization seems like a carte blanche invitation for people to say, 'Well since I only have this much marijuana, it's not a crime'," Volpe went on to say.

Attorney General Peter Kilmartin also opposes decriminalization because it would increase the number of people driving under the influence of the drug and increase the risk of teens using it.

So, which concern carries more weight? The long-term consequences and cost of prosecution for posession, or the effectiveness of officers and the potential risk to teens? Vote in our poll below, and tell us your reasons in the comments.