House Bill 7506, The Marijuana Regulation, Control, and Taxation Act, would end marijuana prohibition in Rhode Island and replace it with a system to regulate and tax the sale of marijuana to adults 21 and older. The Department of Business Regulation would establish regulations and guidelines for the program and issue retail and cultivation licenses through a competitive application process. Adults 21 and older would also be allowed to cultivate up to two marijuana plants in their home.

From public safety to personal liberty, there are many reasons to support ending marijuana prohibition. But the most urgent challenge facing Rhode Island is our budget deficit and weak economy. Allowing adults to legally access marijuana with strict regulations would create hundreds of jobs in Rhode Island, add tens of millions of dollars to the budget, and end a failed policy all at once. This issue deserves serious consideration and a vote on the floor of the Rhode Island House of Representatives.