There are now four states that have passed marijuana legalization. Those of course are Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. Add to that the District of Columbia, and it’s safe to say that the momentum for marijuana reform in America has never been stronger. The State of Rhode Island is hoping to capitalize on that momentum by becoming the first state to legalize marijuana via the legislature in 2015. Per Providence Journal:
Jared Moffat, of Regulate Rhode Island, said it appears that at least five more states could approve the legalization of the drug by 2016.
“The results are in, and marijuana prohibition is on its way out,” said Moffat in a statement. “Americans are fed up with wasteful and ineffective laws that punish adults for using a less harmful substance than alcohol. The results are particularly encouraging since voter turnout during a midterm election is typically smaller, older and more conservative. Clearly, support for ending marijuana prohibition spans the political and ideological spectrums.”
“Many newly elected state leaders in Rhode Island focused their campaign messages around rebuilding Rhode Island’s economy. Establishing a system to regulate and tax marijuana would create hundreds of new jobs and generate tens of millions of dollars in additional tax revenue for the state. Rhode Island can give itself a head start advantage over other states in the region by becoming the first East Coast state to end marijuana prohibition in 2015.”
I think that Rhode Island has a great chance of legalizing marijuana via the legislature, as do many other Northeastern states. If you live in Rhode Island, and want to see marijuana legalized in your state, it would behoove you to get involved with Regulate Rhode Island. Volunteer and if you are able, and donate to their cause (although, there’s no ‘donate’ page on their site, so you will have to contact them to see how to donate).
