Pubdate: Tue, 26 Feb 2013
Source: Day, The (New London,CT)
Copyright: 2013 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.theday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/293
Page: B5

R.I. LAWMAKERS TO WEIGH LEGISLATION TO LEGALIZE POT

Providence ( AP) - State lawmakers this week will review legislation 
to legalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana and other 
proposals that would crack down on some lesser known substances.

The legalization bill would allow those 21 and older to possess up to 
an ounce of marijuana, and would impose alcohol-style regulations and 
taxes on the sale of the drug.

The bill's sponsor, state Rep. Edith Ajello, D- Providence, argues 
that society's views on recreational marijuana use are changing and 
that prohibition has failed to keep the drug out of the hands of minors.

The bill is scheduled for a hearing Wednesday in the House Judiciary Committee.

By contrast, the other drug related bills getting a look this week 
would add more drugs to the list of those prohibited in Rhode Island. 
One would outlaw the hallucinogenic drugs salvia divinorum and jimson weed.

Another would expand an existing ban on synthetic marijuana and 
designer drugs sold as "bath salts" to prevent new chemical 
formulations from circumventing the law.

State Rep. Arthur Corvese is a sponsor of both bills to expand the 
list of prohibited drugs. Corvese said lawmakers need to ensure state 
drug laws keep pace with the harmful substances being abused by today's teens.

A recent federal report found 16 cases in which people who smoked 
synthetic marijuana were hospitalized with kidney problems. One was 
in Rhode Island.
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