Pass RI House Bill #7855
Pass RI House Bill #7855
Why this petition matters
Over the past year, local organizers, small business owners, and advocates have been hosting meetings and events to ensure average Rhode Islanders obtain ownership opportunities within the cannabis space and push for cannabis taxes (that are currently going towards law enforcement and other government agencies) to go towards communities that were most impacted by the War on Drugs.
According to a GoLocalProv article from 2011, Rhode Island was spending upwards of 27-million dollars to perpetuate The War on Drugs. By 2012, cannabis was legalized medicinally and in 2023, of the 7 operating dispensaries, none of them are led by a person of color.
Click this link to view our 2024 proposals backed by Rhode Island Representatives David Morales, Leonela Felix Esq. Enrique Sanchez, Brianna Henries, Jose Batista, Brandon Potter, Rebecca Kislak, and Cherie Cruz.
Click this link to view RI House Bill 7855
This petition seeks to ensure that cannabis ownership is accessible to everyone and that the taxes derived from cannabis sales are redirected back towards communities most impacted by The War on Drugs. If we can spend upwards of 27-million annually to perpetuate The War on Drugs, why can't the same resources be used to atone the harm that was done.
Nationwide, The War on Drugs has disproportionately affected marginalized communities, with a higher rate of arrests and convictions for drug offenses (ACLU, 2020). Despite similar rates of usage across racial lines, Black people are nearly four times more likely than white people to be arrested for cannabis possession (ACLU, 2020).
Legalizing cannabis nationally can create an estimated $6 billion in annual tax revenue which could be used towards rebuilding these impacted communities (Tax Foundation, 2018). However, without proper legislation ensuring accessibility and fair distribution of this wealth among all citizens regardless of their socio-economic status or race; we risk creating another system that perpetuates inequality.
We need your help in urging our lawmakers to create equitable laws around cannabis ownership. Let's ensure that those who were most harmed by The War on Drugs benefit from its end. Please sign this petition today!