Regulate RI Calls Marijuana Study Commission “Flawed Delay Tactic,” Members Will Not Participate

The Regulate Rhode Island Coalition is calling the marijuana study commission a “flawed delay tactic” and says that its members will not take part in the marijuana study commission that would be created by H5551.

“The proposed study commission is not a good faith effort to analyze the issue, it is a flawed delay tactic. It would engage in the same legalization debate that has already taken place during the legislative process. It is not intended to find a solution to Rhode Island’s marijuana prohibition problem; it is intended to avoid one. The only people who benefit from delaying legalization — which is what this study commission would do — are the illegal dealers who are currently profiting from selling marijuana,” said Jared Moffat, director of Regulate Rhode Island.

The proposed 22-person study commission names several members including the President of the Rhode Island Chapter of the NAACP, or a designee.

“I appreciate the thought of including the NAACP in the study commission, but I cannot participate in and thereby legitimize this flawed process. The residents of our state have expressed their desire to see marijuana legalized, and it is the legislature’s job to decide on whether we should move forward or not. Leaving that question up to a 22-person study commission after several years of public debate has already taken place is inappropriate,” said Jim Vincent, president of the Rhode Island chapter of the NAACP.

Regulate RI Urges Compromise

Regulate RI is urging lawmakers to hold a vote on a compromise approach that would make marijuana legal for adults starting in July 2018 and establish and advisory board to make recommendations for regulating and taxing marijuana in Rhode Island.

“Sen. Miller and Rep. Slater have proposed a very reasonable compromise that deserves an up-or-down vote in the House and Senate this year. Rhode Islanders deserve to know where their elected officials stand on this issue. We call on House Speaker Mattiello and Senate President Ruggerio to stop stalling and allow our legislators to vote on legalization,” said Moffat.

Regulate RI proposed the compromise last week.

Related Slideshow: Winners and Losers in Raimondo’s FY18 Budget Proposal

Related Articles

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.