R.I. General Assembly leaders to submit legislation on compassion centers

Email: news@abc6

Twitter: @ABC6

Providence (WLNE)- Rhode Island House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio planned to file legislation Wednesday that would clarify regulatory limits on the state’s medical marijuana dispensaries. 

According to a joint statement from the politicians, regulators would not be allowed to prevent a center from growing its own marijuana or limit the amount of plants on premise.

Additionally, a cultivation license would not depend on market demand, and the bill would prevent limiting the number of patients primary caregivers could assist.

The bill would also address a lawsuit by the Raimondo administration charging a breach of separation of powers against the legislators.

At issue is whether the General Assembly has the right to veto regulations created by the governor concerning medical marijuana.

The attempt to place limits on compassion centers “via regulations represents an end-run around the legislature– a separation of powers violation even as the administration had filed a lawsuit accusing the assembly of the same thing,” said Ruggerio.

The bill “clarifies the regulatory powers granted to the executive branch regarding the expansion of compassion center licenses,” said Mattiello.

According to the statement, the bill was developed with consultation from Lauren E. Jones, the lawyer representing the General Assembly in the lawsuit.

The bill is to be considered early in the legislative session, Mattiello and Ruggerio said.

©WLNE-TV/ABC 6 2020