“Subjective evaluations” by a commission which usually relies on a “point-based” merit system to determine an applicant’s eligibility “can lead not only to very long delays in license processing but to litigation from those who find themselves on the wrong side of that subjective, points-based evaluation.”
Santacroce points as an example to Illinois, which approved recreational use of marijuana last year.
That state’s decision last fall to rescore some applications for marijuana dispensary licenses has led to various court challenges and marred the state’s new program.
According to Illinois news reports, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration revealed last September that only 21 firms out of over 900 applicants qualified for 75 “social equity” dispensary licenses.
Dozens testify during Senate hearing on recreational marijuana bills
Many Rhode Islanders are in favor of legalization, but want the legislation revised before it s voted on.
April 1, 2021 10:49 pm
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – The consensus from the joint Senate Judiciary and Finance Committee hearing Thursday is that Rhode Islanders are in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana, but want the legislation revised before it’s voted on.
Dozens testified during the meeting on two bills that would legalize and tax recreational marijuana in the state.
One of the bills is by Governor McKee and is part of his budget proposal. The other is a senate bill introduced by Senators Miller and McCaffrey.
The governor’s plan would add a 10% cannabis tax on top of the state’s regular 7% sales tax on all purchases. And it would also tax those retail stores’ suppliers the state’s 60 or so licensed cultivators based on the weight of product they grow.
The Office of Cannabis Regulation within the Department of Business Regulation would license private business applicants and enforce compliance with the state’s packaging, labeling, security and safety requirements for marijuana products.
(A separate legalization plan, put forth this week by Senate leaders, would create an appointed five-member Cannabis Control Commission that would regulate the new industry, including determining who qualified for retail licenses.)
Two senators proposed the bill that would legalize recreational use providencejournal.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from providencejournal.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.