PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Within the next two weeks, recreational marijuana legalization goes into effect in Massachusetts. Rhode Islanders met Monday night to discuss what this will mean for the ocean state.

About 200 people gathered for a Publick Occurrences forum, sponsored by the Providence Journal at Rhode Island College, where speakers both in support of and against RI’s own legalization of the drug spoke.

Among experts from law enforcement, narcotics prosecution, and mental health, Charles Brown took his place as a panelist. Brown was serving a life sentence for cocaine and marijuana charges until President Obama ordered his release in September.

“I think Rhode Island should legalize it. That way it closes the black market and it puts the money to the taxpayers,” said Brown.

He thinks legalization will actually put drug dealers out of business.

Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Pare was also in attendance. “I think eventually like any other states, it will become legal, legalized here in Rhode Island.”

Pare warned not to rush the process, though, and to make sure that proper regulations are in place.

Not everyone at the forum was on board with legalization. Carol Formica of Middletown said she against the idea. “I’m a parent and I’m an educator and I’m very concerned for the impacts legalization will have our youth.”