But governor's spokesman says she'd "give strong consideration" to signing a legalization bill if her concerns about safety and regulation are addressed.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Gov. Gina Raimondo's administration wants to put the brakes on marijuana legalization for at least a year while lawmakers study the issue.

In a letter sent to the House Judiciary Committee April 11, three top Raimondo officials said they have reservations about legalizing the drug and noted that some states "have been more successful than others in allowing recreational marijuana while minimizing negative impacts."

"It is in this vein that we would be supportive of H5551, which would create a study commission to undertake a comprehensive review of these issues and make recommendations regarding future legalization in Rhode Island."

The letter is signed by Department of Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, Department of Business Regulation Director Scottye Lindsey and Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals Acting Director Rebecca Boss.

Marijuana legalization bills have been debated in the General Assembly for seven years. This marks the first time any state agency has publicly expressed an opinion. No representative of any of the agencies spoke about their position during a seven-hour hearing in the House Judiciary Committee last week.

Legalization advocates have called the study commission a delay tactic. The bills proposing its creation call for a 15-member panel that would report findings to the General Assembly by March 1, 2018. Massachusetts has pushed off the opening of recreational pot shops until July 2018.

"Study commissions are almost always intended to delay legislative action rather than advance it," said Jared Moffat, director of the pro-legalization force Regulate Rhode Island. "We are somewhat surprised to see the governor's administration opposing a policy that nearly 60 percent of Rhode Island voters support."

According to a poll conducted in January by Public Policy Polling for Regulate Rhode Island, 59 percent of Rhode Islanders support marijuana legalization. The poll of 759 registered voters had a margin of error of 3.6 percent.

Despite the letter, a Raimondo spokesman said the governor has not closed the door to the possibility of legal marijuana.

"The governor’s primary concerns are safety and proper regulation, and she will give strong consideration to legalization legislation that adequately addresses these concerns, whether a bill reaches her desk this year or in the future," Raimondo spokesman David Ortiz said.

In recent months, Raimondo has said she is particularly hesitant about edible forms of marijuana that can be marketed to children. In response, legalization advocates proposed in this year's bill an 18-month delay in the roll out of edible products while state officials decide what controls are needed for pot-infused treats.

“If I could get myself comfortable that we, the state, could legalize in a way that keeps people safe, keeps children safe, folks aren’t getting sick, then I would be in favor,” Raimondo said in an October 2016 interview with The Journal.

Rep. Scott Slater, the Providence Democrat who sponsored the legalization bill, said he was disappointed by the letter but doesn't consider it a death sentence for legislation, noting he's open to changes.

But studying a topic that has been debated for years is not in the state's best interest, Slater said.

"We've studied this to death. I'm sure Massachusetts has some studies. Maybe we can borrow of theirs," he said.

Updated at 7:45 p.m.

— jbogdan@providencejournal.com

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On Twitter: @JenniferBogdan