The Boston Globe outlines Rhode Island’s latest plans to get regulated cannabis on the books in that state
They write
PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island could become the next state to legalize cannabis.
A year after Senate leadership declared a different legalization proposal dead on arrival, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey are co-sponsoring a bill that would legalize, tax, and regulate the recreational use of marijuana in the state.
The legislation, which legalizes the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for anyone age 21 and over, still needs to be approved in both the Senate and the House and signed into law by Governor Dan McKee. But McKee has already expressed support for legalizing it, and House leaders have said they’re open to it.
A 20 percent tax rate
Buyers would pay a 20 percent tax rate, which includes the traditional 7 percent sales tax, a 3 percent local sales tax, and a special 10 percent tax. The local tax would go to the community where the point of sale occurred. Some municipal leaders, like Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza have said they’d like to see cities and towns get a larger percentage of the tax because they’ll be the ones covering the cost of law enforcement.
A five-member committee will decide a lot
A committee would oversee four kinds of licenses: cultivator (between $100 and $20,000, depending on the size), manufacturer ($5,000), retail ($20,000), and testing ($5,000). The commission would be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. One member must have experience in public health, one must have experience in public safety, one must have a financial background, one must have experience in oversight or industry management, and one must have a background in legal, policy, or social justice issues related to a regulated industry.
Read more of what the Boston Globe has to say
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/10/metro/guide-rhode-island-senates-plan-legalize-cannabis/
Here’s the full outline in pdf format
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