(6.19) Head over to the Rochambeau Library on Thursday for a forum on the marijuana ‘Tax and Regulate’ legislation currently before the general assembly. Regulate Rhode Island (RRI) will host a panel of advocates from varied backgrounds who will discuss why they believe marijuana should be legalized for adult recreational use in Rhode Island.
Regulate Rhode Island is a coalition of citizens who believe that marijuana prohibition wastes public resources discriminates against communities of color, and undermines public health and safety. RRI director Jared Moffat recently answered several opposition concerns in an interview with The Providence Phoenix. For instance, what to say to those who think this will “send the wrong message to young people?”
I agree that marijuana should be kept away from young people. But to defend the policy that we have now as a way to accomplish that is totally bizarre. [W]hat we have now is daily marijuana use among kids has more than tripled since the early ’90s, under prohibition. At the same time, just last year, we saw historic lows for tobacco and alcohol use among teenagers. If you read what people have written about why we’ve achieved such success, especially with tobacco, they say it’s because we have control.
Joining the discussion Thursday will be mayoral candidates Democrat Brett Smiley and Republican Dr. Daniel Harrop — both of whom have already appeared at the state house in support of this initiative — further proof that there is support for this on both sides of the aisle. And I will be there as a speaker for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP). A Q&A will follow the panel discussion. Facebook event page.
6pm to 8:30pm, Thursday, June 19, downstairs community room, Rochambeau Library, 708 Hope Street, (directions)