WPRO Newsroom and the Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Lawmakers in Rhode Island are reviewing legislation that would legalize the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.
The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to hold a hearing on the bill Tuesday, A vote on the bill has not been scheduled.
The proposal would subject marijuana to alcohol-style regulations and taxes.
Sen. Donna Nesselbush is the main sponsor of the bill. The Pawtucket Democrat says regulating and taxing marijuana is a better alternative to prohibition, which she says has failed to keep it out of the hands of children.
Similar legislation was introduced last year and did not get a vote.
Washington state and Colorado have legalized marijuana. Rhode Island recently decriminalized the possession of small amounts of pot.
