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PROVIDENCE -
The legalization of marijuana for sale may become a reality in Rhode Island. It's a topic that's sparking a lot of debated around the state.
A conference room inside the Providence Marriott on Tuesday was filled with people discussing the pros and cons, as well as the potential impact on the economy.
Sen. Josh Miller is a co-sponsor of a bill, which outlines a plan for using tax revenues raised by legal marijuana sales to benefit the economy. The plan projects a range of $21 million to $82 million raised by tax revenue each year in the state.
Of that revenue, 40 percent would be put into drug prevention, education, and treatment, 10 percent into law enforcement training, and the remaining balance into the general fund.
On the high end, based on those projections, that would mean over $40 million a year.
"I believe there is a majority in both the Senate and the House," Miller told those in attendance.
John Simmons spoke on behalf of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council. He said that it's important to distribute the funds earned on legal marijuana sales, but that shouldn't be the top priority in this phase.
"I think you've got to take the merits of the case, whether this is the right public policy forgetting where the funding goes," said Simmons.
One of the components of this legislation is job creation, and how that may affect the economy. It also raises other questions: Will a state that has legalized marijuana laws deter businesses from operating here? What about federal contractors?
In January, Electric Boat said it wants to hire submarine builders, but is having trouble finding enough qualified people that can pass a drug test.
To answer that, Miller points to Colorado's economic improvement. He said that state's economy has gone from fortieth to fourth in the nation over the last ten years. Jobs are good, but there are still a lot of factors involved.
"We don't put a lot of emphasis on the creation of jobs because we don't know what's the volume or how often it's going to be authorized," said Simmons.
http://www.turnto10.com/story/28923295/legalizing-marijuana-in-ri-continues-to-spark-debate
The legalization of marijuana for sale may become a reality in Rhode Island. It's a topic that's sparking a lot of debated around the state.
A conference room inside the Providence Marriott on Tuesday was filled with people discussing the pros and cons, as well as the potential impact on the economy.
Sen. Josh Miller is a co-sponsor of a bill, which outlines a plan for using tax revenues raised by legal marijuana sales to benefit the economy. The plan projects a range of $21 million to $82 million raised by tax revenue each year in the state.
Of that revenue, 40 percent would be put into drug prevention, education, and treatment, 10 percent into law enforcement training, and the remaining balance into the general fund.
On the high end, based on those projections, that would mean over $40 million a year.
"I believe there is a majority in both the Senate and the House," Miller told those in attendance.
John Simmons spoke on behalf of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council. He said that it's important to distribute the funds earned on legal marijuana sales, but that shouldn't be the top priority in this phase.
"I think you've got to take the merits of the case, whether this is the right public policy forgetting where the funding goes," said Simmons.
One of the components of this legislation is job creation, and how that may affect the economy. It also raises other questions: Will a state that has legalized marijuana laws deter businesses from operating here? What about federal contractors?
In January, Electric Boat said it wants to hire submarine builders, but is having trouble finding enough qualified people that can pass a drug test.
To answer that, Miller points to Colorado's economic improvement. He said that state's economy has gone from fortieth to fourth in the nation over the last ten years. Jobs are good, but there are still a lot of factors involved.
"We don't put a lot of emphasis on the creation of jobs because we don't know what's the volume or how often it's going to be authorized," said Simmons.
http://www.turnto10.com/story/28923295/legalizing-marijuana-in-ri-continues-to-spark-debate
