PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Chances are dwindling that a referendum on legalizing marijuana will appear on the November ballot in Rhode Island.

“A referendum on this year’s ballot is unlikely,” House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello told The Providence Journal in an email Monday. “I am keeping an open mind on the issue and will continue to analyze it over the summer and fall.”

Mattiello, who has said he is open to a non-binding referendum, did not elaborate when asked what feedback he's gotten from legislators and other interested parties on the issue.

During an appearance on WPRI’s “Newsmakers” on Sunday, Mattiello said given that it's the middle of May and he doesn't “have a final decision” a ballot question probably isn't going to happen. On the segment, the Speaker also said he's hoping to have a budget vote the first week of June and bring the session to a close.

Jared Moffat, director of the pro-legalization group Regulate Rhode Island, said putting the brakes on a ballot question is neither a win nor a loss for their cause.

“That's in the neutral category for us. We are continuing to call on the Speaker and Senate President to allow a vote on the legislation that has been introduced,” Moffat said. “It's been five years, and we think it's time for legislators to vote on the issue.”

Massachusetts voters will likely face a marijuana legalization ballot question in November driven by direct voter petition. (Rhode Island law does not provide a form of direct petition.) In Vermont, marijuana legalization legislation appeared to pick up some momentum when it passed a Senate committee earlier this year. But lawmakers there ultimately adjourned earlier this month with the House rejecting the Senate's bill.

This is the sixth consecutive year that marijuana legalization bills have been introduced in Rhode Island. Lawmakers have never voted on any of them.

Sen. Joshua Miller, D-Cranston, who has continuously sponsored the legislation, recently said that a majority of lawmakers in both the House and Senate support legalization. He said he tracks who among his colleagues supports the effort.

But Miller noted that a controversial issue such as marijuana legalization might not see action because there isn't much appetite for hot-button legislation in a General Assembly election year.

jbogdan@providencejournal.com

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