PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - The Rhode Island General Assembly has put a halt to its marijuana legalization debate, opting to study it more instead.
Both legislative chambers have voted to form a 19-member joint study commission to examine the lessons learned in states such as Colorado and Washington that have legalized recreational marijuana.
The Senate voted Thursday evening and the House voted last week.
It was originally supposed to be a 22-member study commission, but it was pared down to 19 when legal pot advocates called the commission a “flawed delay tactic” and said they would boycott.
Proponents of the study group say they want a better understanding of the public safety, public health and societal ramifications, as well as the fiscal effects on state revenue. It would report back to legislators next year.
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