This could be the year. One very significant wrinkle makes this year different. Massachusetts has now legalized marijuana for adult recreational use and they will soon be hiring construction workers to build grow centers and stores (right on the border). They will be hiring specialists for growing, processing, and testing marijuana. They will be selling their products to Rhode Islanders and collecting all those taxes that could have stayed in Rhode Island. And while the advocates behind trying to change our laws are primarily motivated by the social justice issues, we also find the economic prospects very promising.
Last Tuesday night the House Judiciary Committee heard testimony from witnesses on both sides of this issue. (I am a speaker for Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) and spoke in favor of House Bill-5555 which would legalize recreational use of marijuana for adults.)
First I want to thank the members of the committee because that hearing lasted almost till midnight and committee members were listening intently and asking good questions to the end. And they gave each witness as much time as they needed. I am particularly grateful to Committee Chair Cale P. Keable (D-Burrillville/Glocester) for allowing Regulate RI director Jared Moffat to speak last. This gave Moffat the opportunity to counter — and completely dismantle — the arguments that had been presented by the opposition all evening.
You may be getting together with family and relatives this weekend. Maybe they have questions about this issue. Here are all the answers: Regulate RI director Jared Moffat has put together a comprehensive, easy-to-use report — Now is the Time — which provides all the reasons for ending marijuana prohibition, and addresses common concerns and questions. In it he cites studies, surveys, and statistics, from the U.S. government and from the states where marijuana has been legalized.
What can you do? Contact your representatives and tell them you think marijuana should be taxed and regulated like alcohol, and that you want H-5555 brought to the floor for a vote!
Go here to Take Action. Call your senator and representative. Call the Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello at (401) 222-2466 and tell him to bring this to a vote! (He may respond to the jobs and tax revenue argument.)
This is not about being for marijuana. It’s about being against marijuana prohibition.