Rhode Island Marijuana Legalization Bill FiledPhillip Smith, Stop The Drug War It is time for Rhode Island to put the failed policy of marijuana prohibition behind us and adopt a more sensible approach just as our nation did with alcohol 80 years ago, Ajello said. By keeping marijuana sales in the underground market, we are ensuring they will be uncontrolled and that those selling it are not asking for proof of age. Regulating marijuana like alcohol will take marijuana sales off the street and put them in the hands of legitimate businesses that would face real disincentives for selling to minors. These new businesses will also create jobs and generate much-needed new tax revenue. Her bill, House Bill 5274, the Marijuana Regulation, Control and Taxation Act, would: The bill has the support of both local and national marijuana reform groups. State and federal lawmakers from around the nation are bringing forward proposals to regulate marijuana like alcohol, and they are being met with more public support than ever before, said Mason Tvert, a spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project. Most Americans are fed up with laws that punish adults simply for using a product that is objectively less harmful than alcohol. The bill introduced today in Rhode Island presents a smarter, more responsible approach to marijuana. The bill has been referred to the House Finance Committee. Rhode Island is the fourth state to see marijuana legalization legislation filed this year. The others are Hawaii, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Similar bills are expected to be filed in Maine, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. Please visit and support StopTheDrugWar.org to help end prohibition. linkwithin_text=Related Articles: 