Local legislators support marijuana legalization effort here

Sen. Walter S. Felag of Warren is co-sponsor of legalization bill introduced this week

By Ted Hayes
Posted 3/13/21

Warren, Bristol and Tiverton Sen. Walter Felag (District 10) is co-sponsoring a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in the Ocean State, and his fellow legislators in Warren say they all …

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Local legislators support marijuana legalization effort here

Sen. Walter S. Felag of Warren is co-sponsor of legalization bill introduced this week

Posted

Warren, Bristol and Tiverton Sen. Walter Felag (District 10) is co-sponsoring a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in the Ocean State, and his fellow legislators in Warren say they all support the effort to legalize and tax the drug here.

Senate Bill S0568, introduced this past week by Sen. Josh Miller and Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey, would create a system to legalize and tax recreational marijuana, potentially leading to dozens of marijuana stores across the state. It was co-signed by Sen. Felag, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and several others.

And though a House companion bill has not yet been submitted, Warren's representatives in the General Assembly said this week that they support legalization efforts and will support the right bill.

"Wholeheartedly," said Rep. June Speakman of Warren, who represents parts of Warren and Bristol in District 68. "I've been a supporter (of legalization) for some time for various reasons (and) it's something we have to think about."

"I think the time has come," added Rep. Jason Knight (District 67), who represents Barrington and Warren. "I think it's probably even money that when the House produces the substitute for the governor's budget, it will provide for full legalization."

Sen. Felag said this week that legalizing the drug and providing a framework through which it can be regulated and taxed is important for Rhode Island's economic future and puts the state in position to generate revenue that was previously being lost to Massachusetts, where it has been legal for several years. While he did vote to legalize medical marijuana 12 years ago, he has not always supported full legalization efforts. But now he believes the time is right, provided the regulation is sound and the taxing structure is equitable and fair. What's most important is making sure the regulations are safe, fiscally sound and fair:

"Last year the governor wanted it to be more state-controlled, and really to me that didn't provide any real basis for support," he said. "I think when the hearings come up, it's going to be imperative that we look at other states, like Colorado, that have had it for a number of years."

Under the legislation, adults 21 or older would be allowed to purchase and possess up to one ounce of marijuana, and could also cultivate up to six plants for their own personal use.

If passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, the legislation would create a Cannabis Control Commission that would regulate the Ocean State market and issue business licenses. Marijuana retail sales would be subject to the state's seven percent sales tax, a 10 percent "special tax" and a three percent local tax.

Rep. Speakman said the third point is extremely important to her, as the municipalities that host retail outlets should be able to reap financial benefits for allowing them. From a larger perspective, she said, it is clear that Rhode Island needs to compete with Massachusetts:

"If you go to the facilities in Massachusetts, at every point you'll find lots of Rhode Island license plates," she said. "All those tax dollars are going to Massachusetts, not Rhode Island."

"It was inevitable that" legalization needed to be seriously considered here."

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