mjmex.jpg

In this Aug. 4, 2013 photo, a man identified only as Pedro prepares a marijuana cigarette at his home in Mexico City. A group of leftist Mexico City lawmakers have introduced a bill this month to legalize the sale of marijuana in the nation's capital. Since 2009, Mexico has allowed the possession of 5 grams of marijuana, about four joints, for personal use.

(AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee told a reporter he wouldn't rule out signing a bill legalizing marijuana,

.

Chafee said

in marijuana-related taxes and fees "opened a lot of eyes" at a recent gathering of the National Governors Association.

The Journal reports:

(Chafee) also told the reporter that he would not rule out signing legislation to legalize and regulate that was introduced in the General Assembly two weeks ago.

On Monday, his spokeswoman, issued a statement.

"The state has already approved medical marijuana," it reads. "The legislation to legalize marijuana is currently winding its way through the General Assembly. If it were to reach his desk, the Governor would evaluate it at that time."

Chafee talked about marijuana policy with Huffington Post's

:

Speaking of Colorado, leaders in that state are

to host the 2016 Republican National Convention, The Denver Post reports. Former U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez told

editor

that politicians will want to learn more about how marijuana legalization has worked in Colorado.

“There’s an easy political case to be made,” Beauprez, a Republican and chair of the Denver RNC 2016 bid committee, told Baca. “Other governors and mayors will want to come here and see how (legal pot is) working out.”

Closer to home, the debate over whether Oregon cities can ban medical marijuana dispensaries continues. On Monday, the House Judiciary Committee

. Last week, the Senate unanimously passed a stripped-down version of the bill that prohibited local governments from banning the outlets.

The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for a vote.

-- Noelle Crombie