Advocates for the repeal of marijuana prohibition will be back in the 2015 session of the General Assembly in support of legislation that would regulate and tax marijuana like alcohol. Locally this effort is being organized by the excellent people over at Regulate Rhode Island, a coalition of citizens and organizations hoping to legalize the adult recreational use of marijuana and end the cruel and pointless incarceration of users.
An excellent piece in today’s Providence Journal updates the national scene — on Tuesday Oregon, Alaska, and D.C. joined Washington state and Colorado on the road to sanity. Reg RI director Jared Moffat says it best (although I am also quoted in this piece).
“The results are in, and marijuana prohibition is on its way out,” said Moffat in a statement. “Americans are fed up with wasteful and ineffective laws that punish adults for using a less harmful substance than alcohol. The results are particularly encouraging since voter turnout during a midterm election is typically smaller, older and more conservative. Clearly, support for ending marijuana prohibition spans the political and ideological spectrums.”
The legislation never made it out of committee last year, but the turmoil in the general assembly at that time can not be overstated. Prior to the whole Fox mishegoss, the bill actually had good support on both sides of the aisle. And while my own advocacy focuses on the social justice issues involved, the news out of Colorado and Washington regarding the economic benefits (tax revenues and job creation) may be what puts this over the top this year.
Thanksgiving is coming up. You will likely have a captive, multi-generational audience and be in need of topics to discuss. Go to “Why Regulate?” at Regulate RI for your talking points!
And go to the online ProJo article and vote in the poll. It’s just a quick click.