The House and Senate Committees on Judiciary heard testimony on H 7092 and S 2253, bills that would decriminalize possession of up to an ounce of marijuana sponsored by Rep. John G. Edwards (D – Portsmouth, Tiverton) and Sen. Joshua Miller (D – Cranston), respectively. There were many supportive witnesses who brilliantly made the argument in favor of replacing the current criminal penalty for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana with a more sensible civil fine. Joining Robert Capecchi from MPP in calling for this sensible change were the Rhode Island Office of the Public Defenders, the Rhode Island chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, the Rhode Island Nurses Association, students from Brown and the University of Rhode Island SSDP chapters, LEAP speakers, and many concerned citizens. It was a very strong showing, but it is not the end of the push.
Legislative leaders and Governor Chafee continue to negotiate a way forward for compassion centers
Sen. Rhoda Perry and Rep. Scott Slater, working together with Governor Lincoln Chafee’s office, introduced legislation — S 2555 — to allow the three approved compassion centers to open. S 2555 is intended to alleviate the federal government’s concerns about huge cultivation locations. It would require the health department to develop a cap on marijuana possessed and grown by dispensaries. To preserve supply, it would allow patients and caregivers to sell their excess marijuana to centers.
During committee debate, a majority of speakers praised the work done to date to finally open the compassion centers, but supporters cautioned that changes need to be made to ensure that the centers are viable. Please email the governor, the bill sponsors, and legislative leaders, and ask them to tighten the scope of the changes made to current law. A reasonable cap on plant cultivation would still allow the compassion centers to meet demand, but capping possession of usable marijuana could result in supply problems.
It’s vital that the governor, bill sponsors, and legislative leaders hear from as many supporters as possible. Post this alert to Facebook or Twitter, and please email it to friends and family, encouraging them to make their voices heard as well.
Tightly regulated marijuana distribution proposal debated in Providence
Once again, Rep. Edith Ajello and Sen. Rhoda Perry have introduced legislation that would remove the state-level criminal penalties for adult use, possession, and limited cultivation of marijuana. The proposal would also create a three-tiered marijuana distribution system akin to the current laws and regulations that govern the manufacture, distribution, sales, and use of alcohol.
H 7582 and S 2367 will be taken up in the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. A vast majority who came out for the hearings did so in support of taxing and regulating marijuana. The Rhode Island Office of the Public Defender even submitted written testimony in support of this change. Although passage of this proposals this session are unlikely, we look forward to dialogue over how best to move forward with marijuana policy in Rhode Island.
Marijuana laws in Rhode Island
In 2007, 91% of all marijuana-related arrests in Rhode Island were for possession; a mere 184 arrests were for sales. For more information on the current status of Rhode Island's marijuana-related laws, please see Dr. Jon Gettman, PhD's report on marijuana laws in Rhode Island.
