By Steve Ahlquist in Rhode Island’s Future
Regulate RI, a coalition
working to tax and regulate the sale of marijuana in the state, yesterday made
the business case for the idea, ahead the House Judiciary Committee taking
public testimony on the bill.
Ray White, chief operating officer of the Thomas C Slater
Compassion Center said that he has 60 employees at his business selling medical
marijuana. If recreational marijuana were to become legal, he sees the
opportunity to employ many more people.
In addition to retail outlets there is the opportunity
for marijuana and hemp related research.
Austin Davis and Spencer Blier both
made the case for Rhode Island being an east coast leader in developing new
products, including hemp ropes and boat sails. Along with the development of
new products say these entrepreneurs, comes more jobs and more economic growth.
Fred Joyal, who developed and sold a successful business
in California, is originally from Rhode Island and is looking to move back
here. He is looking for investment opportunities, and feels that Rhode Island
could be a leader, but only if our legislature chooses to move before
Massachusetts passes similar tax and regulate legislation as a ballot
initiative.
If Massachusetts beats
Rhode Island to the punch, RI natives will cross the border, sending money and
jobs out of state. Meanwhile, any Rhode Islanders who bring the products they
buy legally in Massachusetts back to our state risk arrest, costing our state
money in terms of policing and court costs.
Steve Ahlquist is an
award-winning journalist, writer, artist and founding member of the Humanists
of Rhode Island, a non-profit group dedicated to reason, compassion, optimism,
courage and action. The views expressed are his own and not necessarily those
of any organization of which he is a member. atomicsteve@gmail.com and Twitter:
@SteveAhlquist