Rhode Island is the newest state to see marijuana acceptance on a recreational level.
State lawmakers overwhelmingly passed legislation this week that sets up a system for the regulation, sale, and taxation and recreational cannabis.
“The bill I sign today into law ensures that legalization is equitable, controlled and safe,” McKee said in his statement at the Rhode Island State House.
With the legislation, people 21 and older will be able to possess up to 1 ounce of pot and keep no more than 10 ounces in their home and will be able to grow a small amount.
McKee said the measure makes Rhode Island the 19th state in the nation to legalize cannabis.
“The bill also makes important investments in the creation of an equitable, accessible cannabis retail market by setting aside certain application fee revenues and reserving a portion of new licenses for social equity applicants and worker-owned cooperatives,” McKee explained.
The legislation also automatically expunges any prior civil violations, misdemeanor, or felony convictions for possession of marijuana that is decriminalized by this legislation.
According to the Rhode Island court systems, there are about 27,000 simple possession charges going back to the 1970s.
“I’m working with a mom right now who’s in a shelter who cannot get her BCI for housing because these charges,” said Cherie Cruz, co-founder of Formerly Incarcerated Union of Rhode Island.
With the Governor signing the bills to legalize recreational marijuana in Rhode Island, Bally’s Inc. announced its upcoming policy on marijuana use at the casinos.
Bally’s Inc. will not allow marijuana smoking inside the Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort in Lincoln or at the Tiverton Casino & Hotel.
Residents will have to wait until Dec. 1 to buy marijuana in a retail store setting.
