recreational marijuana

It's June first, and that's a key date in Massachusetts’ efforts to set up a legal recreational cannabis industry.  It’s the first day the Cannabis Control Commission can begin awarding licenses to marijuana businesses.  But don't look for a flood of licenses to be issued right away.

As New Bedford slows the rollout of recreational marijuana shops, Fall River is preparing for a windfall. Fall River will impose a three percent tax on retail sales of recreational pot.

Starting this summer, Massachusetts will begin opening retail recreational marijuana shops. Cities and towns are allowed to place an extra tax on local sales. The Fall River City Council voted in favor of a three percent local tax last week.

Mayor Jasiel Correia supports the tax, and said the revenue will go back into the community.

New Bedford is putting a hold on retail sales of recreational marijuana, as shops prepare to come online in the Bay State this July. The New Bedford City Council has voted to wait until October.

The state commission set up to study the possibility of legalizing recreational marijuana met again Wednesday. The panel heard from representatives from states which have already implemented recreational marijuana.

Roughly 18,000, that’s the number of Rhode Islanders currently enrolled in the state’s medical marijuana program. Members of a new recreational marijuana study commission got an update on that program Tuesday, as they consider whether the state should legalize recreational pot. This was the group's second meeting.

A slew of bills heads for Gov. Gina Raimondo’s signature as the General Assembly nears the end of the legislative session. Here’s a brief list of what’s on the table.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is slated to hear a slate of bills Tuesday about marijuana.  One bill would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Rhode Island.

Lawmakers will once again consider legalizing the use and possession of marijuana for adults over 21. The idea is to regulate and tax the drug like alcohol. Proponents say that would cut down jail time for small-time offenders and increase state revenue.

Rhode Island lawmakers have once again introduced legislation to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Proponents want to tax and regulate the drug like alcohol.

Lawmakers have been trying to pass marijuana legalization laws for years. This time they can point to the experiences of several other states that have already passed such laws. The Senate bill would make it legal for anyone 21 and older to have up to an ounce of pot, or grow a couple of plants at home. It would also allow retailers to sell marijuana, as long as they include a safety warning.