Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine have already decriminalized possession of less than ounce of marijuana, as have a total of 13 states. But don’t take our neighbors’ words for it, a special Rhode Island senate commission on marijuana prohibition found in 2010 that the move would actually save the state money.
“Even by conservative estimates,” reads the group’s final report. “Rhode Island state agencies and departments involved in criminal justice stand to save money in their respective offices should the Rhode Island General Assembly decide to pass the decriminalization of possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.”
The report is relevant as the Senate Judiciary Committee is slated to hear Sen. Josh Miller’s bill that would make possession of less than an ounce of pot punishable by a $150 ticket. Currently, those caught with less than an ounce can be imprisoned for up to a year or fined between $200 and $500, or both.
In 2009, according to the group’s report, 1,145 people were charged with simple possession of marijuana and were represented by the public defender’s office. At an average of $347 per case, the change in law could save Rhode Island some $400,000 a year.
A “majority” of the Rhode Island Senate Commission to Study the Prohibition on Marijuana, made up of medical, legal and political leaders from across the state “agrees that marijuana law reform will not only benefit the state from a budget perspective, but would also avoid costly arrests or incarcerations due to simple possession of marijuana.” Former Central Falls Police Chief Joe Moran and retired State Trooper Joseph Osediacz did not think so.
The state as a whole seems to agree with the majority of the commission. A Public Policy Polling survey found that 65 percent of Rhode Islanders agree that the penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana should be lessened. Last week, when a House committee debated a similar bill 15 people testified in favor of the legislation and only one, Kathy Sullivan of the Barrington Prevention Coalition, testified against it.
Also on the docket is Sen Rhoda Perry’s bill that would legalize and tax marijuana.
Really! Isn’t it about time? The taxpayers of the state have been paying millions for years to hunt down and prosecute marijuana users. $400k for public defenders is only the tip of the iceberg. How about all the money spent for surveillance equipment and man hours? How about the people already in the ACI for possession of a speck over an ounce. At $50k a year per prisoner, for 2 to 5 years I’m sure much more could be saved.. BTW, just because the court levies fines doesn’t mean it collects them. I wonder how much of that money actually makes it into the “general fund”. Decriminalization is only the first step. We should fully legalize it!
This is such a lie. When they start laying off cops, prison guards, and lawyers, then you can claim you’re savings and that ain’t happening. The judges decriminalized marijuana years ago by piling ‘Nolo Contendre’ pleas with a filing on top of each other despite the laws one bite of the apple restriction. If you went to jail for marijuana it was a felony and/or a violation of parole, probation, and/or a suspended sentence. All it’s done is to confuse law enforcement and violators. How many dopes will get tickets now because the think decriminalize means legalize.
As far as legalizing, just what we need to bring back manufacturing to this state. If things aren’t bad enough, the thought that workers can get high legally would be a real incentive to move a company here. Bravo!
” the thought that workers can get high legally would be a real incentive to move a company here”
Why is that always the knee-jerk reaction to legalization of a banned substance? DD, what’s stopping workers from getting high now and going to work? What’s stopping somebody from getting drunk and going to work?