“Marijuana sales are already taking place in every town in Rhode Island. The question before voters this November is whether they want these transactions to take place in a safe, above-ground environment or if they want to keep these markets unregulated and underground.”
“Regulation works. Unregulated marijuana providers don’t ask for or check for ID, but licensed businesses most certainly do.”
“Licensed cannabis retailers are good neighbors, drive economic growth, and redirect tax dollars back into the local community. It makes no sense from either an economic perspective or from a public health perspective to prohibit these businesses or to relegate cannabis commerce solely to those operating in the unregulated marketplace.”
“I feel exasperated that lawmakers have failed to enact this common sense policy reform,” said Delaware NORML’s Executive Director Laura Sharer. “While we the people are committed to ending prohibition in Delaware, it’s clear that our process and some of our lawmakers aren’t up to the task.”
“The overwhelming support for this bill exhibited by lawmakers and the expeditious nature with which it was signed into law is indicative of the strong level of public support that exists in favor of legalization not only in Rhode Island, but also nationwide.”
Both chambers of the Rhode Island legislature voted today to legalize and regulate the adult use cannabis market. It now heads to the Governor’s desk.
“This is an important first step in the process of ending all penalties for cannabis possession and ensuring Rhode Islanders have access to regulated and tested cannabis products, just like New Englanders already have in neighboring states,” says Jax James, NORML’s State Policy Manager.
Commenting on the settlement, a spokesperson for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol said, “To be certain: we aren’t going anywhere and are undeterred in our goal to legalize cannabis for all adults in Ohio.”