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Taveras, Pell take wait and see approach on legalizing marijuana


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Providence Mayor Angel Taveras at Netroots Nation. (Photo by Bob Plain)Two of the Democrats running for governor are taking a wait-and-see what-happens-elsewhere approach to legalizing marijuana in Rhode Island.

In an email to RI Future today, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras said, “I am not currently supportive of legalization.  I think we need to wait and see what impact such a large change has on states like Colorado and Washington.” He pointed out that he did support last years’ successful effort to decriminalize marijuana, he said, “because it allows us to better focus police resources.”

Somewhat similarly, Clay Pell told WPRI Newsmakers in January, “I think that we need to take a look at what’s happening in Colorado and wait and see what’s happening in Washington. I don’t support taking any particular action at this time.”

Tim White pressed him a bit: “But right now that’s not a straight no. It sounds like you’re leaving the door open a little bit.?”

And Pell responded, “Look, I want the econ of Rhode Island to grow. I’m not sure if that is the place to begin. I’m happy to see what happens in Washington and Colorado…”

I asked Gina Raimondo on Twitter about a month ago but haven’t heard back from her.

Gov Chafee told RI Future earlier in the session he was taking a wait and see approach. After he spoke with Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, he said he would evaluate if and when the tax and regulate bill made it to his desk.

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George Wiley Center joins Chorus of Criticism versus PROCAP

ABC6 reports that the progressive community based organization – the George Wiley Center – has first-hand experience of the kind of “staggering mismanagement” that has led Mayor Angel Taveras and Council President Michael Solomon to call for the resignation of director Frank Corbishley and the State of Rhode Island to announce that its cutting off all funding to ProCap:

One of the Programs effected by the Agency’s issues is the George Wiley Center in Pawtucket. The center is the middle man between people that need help paying their utilities and programs like ProCAP that provide those services. For the past year, workers at the George Wiley Center say they can’t do their job, because ProCAP hasn’t been doing theirs.

Drawers of files at George Wiley Center show just how many Rhode Islanders come seeking help for paying their utility bills. It’s part of Debbie Clark’s job to refer them to programs like ProCAP.

“They’re the focal point of where everything starts, they’re where people can move on to the next step,” Clark says.

Clark says working with ProCAP has become a battle over the last year, hindering her from helping others.

“People are calling they’re not getting treated properly, I just think the whole thing needs to be revamped.”

(…)Clark says her program has had communication problems with ProCAP for a while and is hoping for change.

“Our hands are tied, we can’t change what’s happening at ProCAP, we can’t affect what’s happening at ProCAP, and all we can do is help these people on what to do moving forward.”