The issue of marijuana legalization won’t be taken up by Rhode Island lawmakers until this summer or fall, a top lawmaker said this week. The latest piece of cannabis reform legislation was filed just two weeks ago. Upon its introduction, sources familiar with the situation told Marijuana Moment that because time is running out before lawmakers typically break for the summer after completing the budget, they expected the legislature to reconvene in September to tackle the issue. Now, House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi (D) is confirming that’s a possibility. “Marijuana legalization will not be decided until after the budget is adopted this month,” Shekarchi told WPRI-TV on Wednesday. “It is possible we will return sometime in the summer or fall.” Rep. Scott Slater (D) is the sponsor of the newest legalization bill, which is separate from reform proposals that have been filed by the governor and Senate leaders.
Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 06/10/2021 13:02:00