Indopedia All Things Marijuana
For years, Rhode Island has been a medical marijuana pioneer on America’s prohibition-friendly east coast. But since the state’s first dispensary opened four years ago, a restrictive state law has capped the number of legal pot shops at three. But now, as neighboring states like Massachusetts and Maine prepare for full-scale recreational legalization, some Rhode Island lawmakers are finally ready to expand their three trick pony and double the number of state-sanctioned dispensaries.
According to the Providence Journal, the size of Rhode Island’s medical marijuana registry has more than tripled since that first dispensary opened its doors, with 17,757 patients currently on the books – or 1 in every 45 Ocean State adults. That heavy interest has lead state legislators to push for increased availability.
“It’s based on simple economics, supply and demand,” Senator Stephen Archambault, the Democrat pushing for MMJ expansion, said. “People are going to be able to get this drug from compassion centers more easily and at a decreased cost (if the bill passes.)”
The proposed legislation would allow six total dispensaries, or compassion centers as they’re…
