RI Senate Committee Greenlights Marijuana Legalization Bill

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island is one step closer to legalizing recreational marijuana. On Tuesday night, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved amended legalization legislation, sending it to the full chamber for consideration.

If signed into law, the bill would allow Rhode Islanders 21 and older to have up to 1 ounce of marijuana in their possession, along with home-grow rules similar to that of neighboring Massachusetts. Consumption in public areas would be prohibited, and unsealed containers would be banned in passenger areas of vehicles.

A 3 percent local sales tax would apply, as well as the state's regular sales tax and an additional cannabis tax of 10 percent. Licensing fees would range from $100 for a cultivator's license to $5,000 for manufacturers and testing entities’ licenses. The largest stores and growers would have to pay as much as $20,000.

The bill also calls for the creation of a five-member Cannabis Control Commission board, responsible for overseeing the four aspects of the supply chain: cultivation, manufacturing, sales and testing. The board would have the power to create rules and regulations for the market, as well as vet applicants.

The proposed amendment to the legislation would cap retail licenses at one per 20,000 residents per city or town, double the initial amount proposed. It also calls for one-third of all licenses to be reserved for groups of people who have historically been disproportionately harmed by previous drug enforcement laws. Finally, it would place a moratorium on cultivator licenses until July 1, 2023.

Cities and towns would have the ability to opt out through a voter referendum. If so, the municipality would forgo the 3 percent local sales tax revenue. Local ordinances could be passed to regulate marijuana sales, though no new fees or contingencies can be passed at the local level.

The committee recommended passage of the bill during Monday night's hearing.

Read more: Marijuana Legalization In RI: What To Know About Proposed Law