Rhode Island governor calls for delay in legalizing rec marijuana

Don’t miss our MJBiz LinkedIn Live covering “Women Leaders in Cannabis: Shattering the Grass Ceiling” on Wednesday, March 27, at 2 p.m. ET. Visit LinkedIn to register!


A state that industry watchers have predicted would be among the next to legalize recreational marijuana – Rhode Island – appears to have hit a speed bump when it comes to legalization.

Rhode Island’s governor is calling on lawmakers to delay passing legislation that would legalize adult-use cannabis.

Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo’s administration sent a letter to the House Judiciary Committee saying they should instead support legislation to create a 15-member study commission to make recommendations to lawmakers by March 1, 2018.

The letter is signed by the heads of the state health department, business regulation department and department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, the Providence Journal reported.

Legalization proponents in the legislature have argued the state was in a position to legalize rec MJ and have an industry in place before adult-use shops in neighboring Massachusetts opened their doors.

MJ advocates complain the study commission bill is a delay tactic.

Raimondo has in the past spoken against edibles that could be marketed to children, but she was considered open to adult-use legalization

– Staff and wire reports