PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Lawmakers considering a hot-button proposal to legalize recreational marijuana in Rhode Island had one clear concern on their minds Tuesday night: What if Massachusetts beats us?

The General Assembly has grappled with the legalization question for five years. During a House Judiciary Committee hearing the familiar arguments were heard from proponents who say legalization will ensure marijuana is tested and safe to educators who warned of addiction and the impact on youth.

But for the first time, as lawmakers face imminent pressure from other New England states also toying with the idea of legal pot, they voiced concerns Rhode Island could get left behind. Massachusetts voters will likely see a binding referendum question on marijuana legalization on the ballot in November.

"If we fail to pass the legislation this year, Rhode Island will likely miss out on millions of dollars ... . Businesses will set up along the [southern] border of Massachusetts and collect millions while we get nothing," said Rep. Scott Slater, the Providence Democrat who sponsored the legalization bill.

Rep. Blake Filippi, I-Block Island, had a different take. He questioned how law enforcement would stop Rhode Islanders from going across the border to purchase marijuana, bringing the drug back into the state.

"I think we maybe could stop it, but through a very large police presence, but that might be even more harmful than legalization," Filippi said.

Both Governor Raimondo and House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello have said they are open to legalization either through legislation or a referendum, but neither on Tuesday suggested a timeline. A referendum in Rhode Island would be born through a bill calling for a public vote. Mattiello spokesman Larry Berman said there are currently no plans for a referendum bill, but the speaker remains open to the idea.

Regulate Rhode Island, the pro-legalization group, has placed its focus on the economic impact a recreational marijuana industry could have on the state. The group offered a ballpark estimate of thousands of jobs being created and an industry that would generate tens of millions of dollars a year. Jared Moffat, the group's director, called those numbers a "back-of-the-napkin" analysis.

If Massachusetts voters approve the ballot question, recreational stores could open in 2018. Moffat argued if Rhode Island approves legalization this year there's a cushion to "still beat Massachusetts to the punch."

Those who came to voice their support and further the idea of marijuana business potential included 24-year-old Austin Davis, who described himself as a "full-time cannabis researcher and entrepreneur." The University of Rhode Island graduate described related businesses including marijuana packaging and testing, saying it would be a shame to see many of his interested peers "moving out of state and leaving Rhode Island behind."

Assistant Attorney General Joee Lindbeck said she didn't believe there would be an influx of people driving across the border to purchase marijuana, but stressed the office's concerns that legalization will only increase a black market and become a regulatory nightmare.

Rep. Jeremiah O'Grady, D-Lincoln, asked Lindbeck why the office predicted such a "dramatic sky-is-falling impact on Rhode Island."

"I'm not necessarily saying there's going to be a sky-is-falling consumption pattern difference ... I think there's going to be a huge cultivation impact," Lindbeck said. "People who are using are going to continue to use. It's the cultivation impact that will be remarkable."

jbogdan@providencejournal.com

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