Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
A House committee has voted to add another five members to a study commission that would be charged with looking into the effects of legalizing marijuana.
The additions would bring the total number of people on the commission to 22 and increase representation by the pro-legalization movement.
New members included in the version of the bill approved by the House Judiciary Committee are: the president of the local branch of the NAACP; the director of the local chapter of Direct Action for Rights and Equality; a representative of Doctors for Cannabis Regulation; a criminal defense attorney; and the president of Rhode Island AFL-CIO.
The other members, who would be appointed by House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, would be: three senators; three representatives; a representative from Smart Approaches to Marijuana “or a similar organization”; the president of the Substance Use Mental Health Council of RI; a member of an organization that is a proponent for legalization; the executive director of the Rhode Island Medical Society; a member of a local chamber of commerce; the director of the state Department of Health; the president of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association; the attorney general; a representative of medical marijuana patients; an educator; and a mental health professional.
The panel would report recommendations on legalizing marijuana to the General Assembly by March 2018.
Last week the bill was scheduled for a vote on the House floor for two days but was eventually sent back to committee to amend membership of the proposed body. House spokesman Larry Berman said the new version of the bill will be scheduled for a House floor vote next week.
Marijuana legalization proponents have called the study commission a delay tactic. Others have suggested it is a sign that the possibility of legalizing marijuana in Rhode Island has gained traction. Sen. Joshua Miller, a Cranston Democrat who is leading the legalization push in the Senate, has suggested that alternative legalization legislation may be introduced as a compromise.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Latest plan for pot panel would increase legalization backers' clout - News - providencejournal.com - Providence, RI
Author: Jennifer Bogdan
Contact: Contact Us - providencejournal.com - Providence, RI
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: providencejournal.com: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Providence, RI
The additions would bring the total number of people on the commission to 22 and increase representation by the pro-legalization movement.
New members included in the version of the bill approved by the House Judiciary Committee are: the president of the local branch of the NAACP; the director of the local chapter of Direct Action for Rights and Equality; a representative of Doctors for Cannabis Regulation; a criminal defense attorney; and the president of Rhode Island AFL-CIO.
The other members, who would be appointed by House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, would be: three senators; three representatives; a representative from Smart Approaches to Marijuana “or a similar organization”; the president of the Substance Use Mental Health Council of RI; a member of an organization that is a proponent for legalization; the executive director of the Rhode Island Medical Society; a member of a local chamber of commerce; the director of the state Department of Health; the president of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association; the attorney general; a representative of medical marijuana patients; an educator; and a mental health professional.
The panel would report recommendations on legalizing marijuana to the General Assembly by March 2018.
Last week the bill was scheduled for a vote on the House floor for two days but was eventually sent back to committee to amend membership of the proposed body. House spokesman Larry Berman said the new version of the bill will be scheduled for a House floor vote next week.
Marijuana legalization proponents have called the study commission a delay tactic. Others have suggested it is a sign that the possibility of legalizing marijuana in Rhode Island has gained traction. Sen. Joshua Miller, a Cranston Democrat who is leading the legalization push in the Senate, has suggested that alternative legalization legislation may be introduced as a compromise.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Latest plan for pot panel would increase legalization backers' clout - News - providencejournal.com - Providence, RI
Author: Jennifer Bogdan
Contact: Contact Us - providencejournal.com - Providence, RI
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: providencejournal.com: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Providence, RI
