A majority of Rhode Island voters back legalizing and regulating the use and sale of cannabis in a manner similar to alcohol, according to a just-released Public Policy Polling survey commissioned by the Marijuana Policy Project.
Fifty-three percent of respondents support “changing Rhode Island law to regulate and tax marijuana similarly to alcohol, so stores would be licensed to sell marijuana to adults 21 and older?” Forty-one percent of respondents oppose the idea. Six percent of voters were undecided.
Legislation to legalize the adult consumption and licensed production and retail sale of cannabis in the state is expected to be reintroduced shortly. (Rhode Island does not have a statewide ballot initiative process.) In previous years, state lawmakers have overwhelmingly supported the passage of legislation to legalize the use, growing, and dispensing of medical marijuana to qualified patients. The PPP survey found that 77 percent of Ocean State voters support the state’s present medical marijuana program.
The PPP poll possesses a margin of error of +/- 3.8 percent.
In recent months, separate statewide polls in Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Texas have all shown majority support for legalizing the adult consumption of cannabis.
Thank you!
Providence, here I come. I’ll be a tourist who keeps returning to your state every so often. I love New England.
Wow! Good news from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, DC, Hawaii, and even the House of Representatives.
Incidentally, I saw someone from the ONDCP appear before a Congressional Committee on CSPAN yesterday. It doesn’t appear that all the usual equivocating and lying is going to work anymore.
[Paul Armentano responds: Archived audio and video of the entire Congressional hearing is here: http://oversight.house.gov/hearing/mixed-signals-administrations-policy-marijuana/#. I would most certainly recommend watching it.]
Not with Michele Leonhart at the DEA. She has to go sign the petition here
https://www.change.org/petitions/president-barack-obama-fire-anti-marijuana-dea-administrator-michele-leonhart
It’s started by “MPP” but who cares, when she goes our voice will be heard.
So glad New England is so close. My vacation spot in the near future. I love how all the states are turning over. One by one,thanks normel.
Our new song ‘Marijuana’ just got us invited to Colorado’s ‘Mile High Music Festival’ this coming June. Woohoo!!
It’s our little contribution to the ‘great cause’:) We hope you can share it on your great blog and help us spread the buzz:)
Marijuana (**PG13**) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPBwaWIEk4k&list=PLgu-coa7pr4LtGgpYG8mIDC_huM9eQHwt&feature=share
Marijuana (**18+**) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r108McAUqKc&feature=share&list=PLgu-coa7pr4LB_P7C3LRyvbx7LTfl2BGV
Dawn n Nash
email: Tawny@TawnyRiver.com
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It makes more sense to allow existing businesses to include cannabis rather than to designate an entirely new category of ‘specialty shops’. Liquor stores, smoke shops and drug stores are used to dealing with restricted/regulated products.
Wow! 77% sure sounds like a more honest statistic. Its good see more real numbers coming out. I heard someone say on these blogs that they just might get to see full legalization in their lifetime. I’m beginning to believe it too.
I wonder what it is that a whopping 41% of voters oppose legalization. Would help our cause to find out exactly what people object to. Or if they’re basing their opinions on misinformation. There are so many misconceptions out there.
And yes, I will be more likely to be a tourist in any state that legalizes marijuana for recreation. And the kind of tourist that you want to have as well.
@Galileo Galilei and Paul Armentano
The “Mixed Signals” video was very much worth seeing. Watched them the other day after the links came in through Facebook from NORML. It was good to see the Over Committee doing a honest job of going after the truth. A point that was just walked right over was the statement made by Mr. Botticelllo when ask, “Do you know who Harry Anslinger was?”, and Mr. Botticello answered,”I do not unfortunately”. First of all Mr. Botticello is the worst liar in government. There is no way he could be uneducated in this area given who he is. Don’t want to spoil the whole thing for the rest of you.
Keep going and good luck Rhode Island. Glad to see you have good legislators in your corner.
Block Island here I come!
Come on, brothers and sisters of Rhode Island! I’m pulling for you.
I’ve been calling some of my own legislators here in my state of NM, as per the suggestion of the local state legislator who proposed legalization in NM. So far, the issue hasn’t come up for discussion, as the legislators were locked in discussions about other issues. Here’s hoping they bring it up again next week or the week after.
I did call the state rep in my own particular district, Greg Payne, a Republican. He’s your typical conservative businessman type. He’s a bit eccentric, however, hot-headed. He once even threw a full can of Coke at a passing bicyclist, and caught hell, deservedly, for it. His secretary, or aide or whoever I spoke with, was very nice. I doubt he’ll go for legalization, however, as I live in a very conservative district.
Anyway, I’ll keep trying.
In reply to the statement by a commenter; “Liquor stores, smoke shops and drug stores are used to dealing with restricted/regulated products.”
Cannabis other than particular patented strains can’t be identified to a source when removed from it’s packaging, thus it is ideal for theft. During the transition to full legalization, transactions will still occur in cash more than other types of business. For security and safety, a separate space is required to deter robbery. Any robbery would be used as an excuse to prohibit cannabis sales.
For the customer, a separate space allows a purchase to occur where mostly only others whom are approving will witness it. That privacy prevents concern about conflict such as being seen by a co-worker, employer, family member etc. Legalization doesn’t equate to equal rights or lack of social stigma for cannabis consumers in all communities.
While a “smoke shop” may fit this criteria, as consumers increasingly transition to vaporization and edibles, association with combustion will be less desirable. I’d prefer to buy my cannabis from a business owner whom is fully supportive of and actively working toward advancements in cannabis consumerism. This is a totally new opportunity for America, and as such is important cannabis isn’t dragged down by old industries which are competitors of cannabis rather than allies.
It’s my understanding that even if it’s legal in a state where you live you can still lose your job if you smoked on Saturday and were tested at work on Wednesday. Until the it’s 100% legal we are all still at risk. Get involved and get your friends involved. Support NORML.
We shouldn’t have had to kick the door of intolerance down. How long will LE continue to back the cartels use of the black market profits? When will this nation cease the building of prisons and develop educational opportunities technology is granting all willing to learn.
Most of the people want this legal however in countries like USA. marijuana & weed are illegal and 90% of the people are taking it and violating the rules. What i think it should be legalized when the majority is too high.
Apart from this i would like to say that we deal in medical marijuana.Discover new stains & get latest marijuana news online at weedlynx.com.
As per my comment above, the NM legislature finally had a vote on whether or not to allow the voters of NM to vote on legalization. It stalled on a 5-5 vote, with all 4 GOPers and one Dem voting against the proposal and five Dems voting for it. Ortiz y Pino, the Albuquerque Dem who initiated the proposal said altho the chances for another vote this year are slim, he’ll keep trying . . . and trying until it gets legal. I will give his office a call, giving my thanks despite the outcome. (I’m also gonna give my GOP rep’s office a call and give them some grief.)
I hope you TOURISTS don’t return home to a RANDOM DRUG TEST. Drug testing will remain and legality is secondary. People who don’t work can just drink. The working man is still the only one being left out.
I live in illinois. I had an aneurysm April 29, 2013. Long story short I suffer from migraine headaches to the point I can barely function. I have recently been awarded disability full benefits January 2014. I had tried at least 8 different medications before even attempting to smoke marijuana again, but a friend I know with cancer said it helped with his discomfort. Thank god…. It helped but my doctor is all , I don’t want you to smoke its bad for your lungs, I’m like hello the pain is in my head and you guys ain’t giving me no help!!!!
My question is in two parts:
1. Do you think a different doc will approve me since I already use, it helps and I’m on disability for a brain injury resulting in what seems to be permanent.
2. And how do I go about finding a doctor in Chicago illinois that can help with this issue.
I REALLY NEED HELP PEOPLE
Oh yeah how will payment go will my medical card pay for part of the bill if approved or are all purchases full responsibility of the person making the purchase. ( card holder )
@Darkskin Germane-Without doubt its an uphill fight. I’m in a similar situation, but my isue is that I’m trying to find a doctor in the Los Angeles area that is someone who does something more than just write recomendations all day. All that I can suggest is that you get on the phone and call around and speak directly to them. You might try educating your doctor about vaporizers. Eating cannabis has its benefits also. If your lung are his concern then try bringing information to him and see how he reacts. If he’s still opposed then amybe it is time for change. Wish I could be more help. Good luck
More Marajuana-Less Guns