Regulate Rhode Island Questions Raimondo’s Plan to “Tax the Sick”
Friday, February 05, 2016
Regulate Rhode Island has issued statement questioning Governor Gina Raimondo's proposal to tax medical marijuana. Raimondo recently unveiled a proposal to create a "tagging" system to track medical marijuana plants across the state.
Patients and caregivers who cultivate medical marijuana for patients will be required to pay $150 or $350 per plant for these tags.
“We tax alcohol, but not prescription medications. Similarly, it makes little sense to extract revenue from sick people who need marijuana as a medicine while keeping marijuana that is used for fun untaxed and in the illicit market. I suspect most recreational marijuana consumers would be happy to pay taxes if only the state would make it legal for them to do so. In addition to generating more revenue, regulating marijuana like alcohol would erode the illicit marijuana market and create new businesses and jobs all over the state. It’s time to get our head out of the sand and move forward like our neighbors in Massachusetts and Vermont," said Jared Moffat, Director of Regulate Rhode Island.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTPolly Reynolds, a registered medical marijuana patient who cultivates marijuana to ease her muscle spasms and pain caused by multiple sclerosis also issued a statement.
“Instead of levying hefty fees from patients like me who have debilitating health conditions, Governor Raimondo and lawmakers should tax those who use marijuana for enjoyment. For us patients, marijuana is often the only thing that eases our suffering, and it is already difficult to afford because health insurance does not cover it. Raising revenue from seriously ill patients’ medicine is wrong, but taxing recreational consumers is appropriate and could help alleviate our state’s deficit.
Regulate Rhode Island is a coalition of citizens and organizations committed to ending the failed policy of marijuana prohibition and replacing it with a system in which marijuana is regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol.
Related Slideshow: The Highest Marijuana Prices in New England by State
The "crowdsourced" website, The Price of Weed, uses consumer input to show how much an ounce of marijuana costs -- by location.
Below are the rankings of New England states, from lowest price reported for "medium grade" marijuana, to highest, along with the number ("n") submitting data.
Related Articles
- NEW: Massive Providence Fire Took Place at Marijuana Producers Association Building
- Lean Gov’t, Marijuana, and a Twin River Hotel: This Week at the State House
- Marijuana Growing Facilities “Serious Concern,” Says RI Fire Marshal
- Does the Kinsley Ave Fire Help or Hurt Marijuana Legalization in RI?
- Guest MINDSETTER™ Robert Paquin: Regulating and Taxing Marijuana Will Strengthen Our Economy
- Ben And Jerry’s Open to Marijuana Infused Ice Cream
- RI Lawmakers Introduce Marijuana Legalization Legislation
- NEW: National Marijuana Advocate in RI for Legalization Forum
- Marijuana “Patient Vapor Lounge” to Open in Downtown Providence
- Marijuana “Vape Lounge” to Open in Downtown Providence on Saturday
- Guest MINDSETTER Rep Scott Slater: Replace Illicit Marijuana Industry with Legitimate Businesses
- NEW: 57% of RI Voters Support Marijuana Legalization, According to Poll
- Marijuana Legalization, and a Murder / Parole Bill: This Week at the Statehouse
- Oregon Approves Home Delivery of Marijuana
- Colorado’s Marijuana Revenue & Oregon’s First Week Bonanza May Spark RI
- Ohio Voters to Consider Legalization of Marijuana
- REPORT: Patriots Jones Had Bad Reaction to Synthetic Marijuana
- NEW: First Marijuana Vapor Lounge in Providence Closes
- Are Medical Marijuana Centers Gouging Patients?
- 5 Years Later, Marijuana Oversight Committee Failed to be Appointed by Legislature
- Marijuana Legalization Advocates in RI Make Big Push with Ad Campaign
- The Highest Marijuana Prices in New England by State for 2015
- Guest MINDSETTER ™ Berwick: How to Legalize Marijuana in RI
- Medical Marijuana Employment Discrimination Lawsuit Moves Forward in RI
- Guest MINDSETTER™ Jared Moffat: Tax Marijuana in RI, Not Medicine