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Rhode Island Gov. Endorses Cannabis Legalization with Budget Plan

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[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]R[/dropcap]hode Island’s governor is eying cannabis legalization for the state this year. Gov. Gina Raimondo is planning to legalize cannabis as part of her 2019-2023 budget bid.

Raimondo had stated before that cannabis legalization was coming and referenced neighboring states that was already on that path.

“Things have changed, mainly because all of our neighbors are moving forward,” Raimondo said to the Providence Journal. “We’re not an island, in fact. Like it or not, we’re going to be incurring public safety and public health expenses because it’s legal in Massachusetts . . . And I think it is time for us to put together our own regulatory and taxing framework.”

Rhode Island approved medical cannabis for chronically ill patients, but it took until 2009 to establish a market to purchase it legally in the state. Several attempts have been made to legalize cannabis, but bills introduced have been pushed aside for further study.

Raimondo’s said in her proposal that she plans to create “the strongest regulatory framework in the country,” including home-grown recreational cannabis, high-potency products, and that edibles must contain no more than 5mg of THC per serving.

Her budget allocates for $3.5 million to start the cannabis program. Retail purchases would be taxed 17 percent, and cultivators would also pay an excise tax per ounce of flower produced. The state expects to collect $14.3 million in tax revenue by the end of 2020.

Thirty-five percent of the tax revenue would go to the state for cannabis-related programs, 15 percent would go to state municipalities and 60 percent would go into the state’s general fund.

Rhode Island Sen. Josh Miller told Marijuana Moment he is optimistic about reform this year, even if it means needing to amend the law later. “I want to see details, obviously,” said Miller, who has sponsored home cultivation bills in several sessions. “I’m inclined to get it done, finally, and work on fixing the broken parts.”

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