2019 -- H 6067

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LC002447

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS - THE EDWARD O. HAWKINS AND THOMAS C.

SLATER MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT - THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS EQUITY ACT

OF 2019

     Introduced By: Representatives Williams, Craven, Almeida, Barros, and Blazejewski

     Date Introduced: May 03, 2019

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 21-28.6 of the General Laws entitled "The Edward O. Hawkins and

Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following

section:

     21-28.6-18. Social equity and race analysis.

     (a) To facilitate greater equity in business ownership and employment in the cannabis

market, the department of business regulation (the "department") shall undertake a social equity

and race analysis (the "analysis"), which analysis shall be completed and the results thereof

published on or before January 1, 2020.

     (b) The social equity and race analysis shall include:

     (1) A disparity study consisting of both qualitative and qualitative findings to determine

whether racial disparities exist in the process to obtain a state license to sell marijuana;

     (2) A disparity study on whether racial disparities exist in the arrest and conviction rates

for possession of marijuana by determining percentage figures for such arrests and convictions

aggregated by the following ethnic groups:

     (i) African-American/Black;

     (ii) Hispanic/Latino;

     (iii) White;

     (iv) Asian; and

     (v) Pacific Island/American Indian/Alaskan Native.

     (c) The department shall consider, identify, and address the following factors for and

aggregated by each group identified in subsection (b)(2) of this section:

     (1) Representation in the general population;

     (2) Rates of employment and unemployment;

     (3) Poverty rates; and

     (4) Arrests for or related to marijuana.

     (d) The analysis shall compile data as provided for by this section for the calendar years

2008 through 2018, inclusive and shall promulgate findings and conclusions as to the existence of

disparities in arrests and convictions relative to marijuana and shall identify any ethnic group that

have been disproportionately impacted by marijuana prohibition.

     (e) All state and municipal agencies shall cooperate with the department to effectuate the

purposes of the analysis.

     (f) On or before January 1, 2020, the department shall publish such findings and

conclusions and submit a copy of the analysis to the governor, the speaker of the house, and the

president of the senate.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS - THE EDWARD O. HAWKINS AND THOMAS C.

SLATER MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT - THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS EQUITY ACT

OF 2019

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     This act would direct the department of business regulation to undertake a social equity

and race analysis to examine whether racial disparities exist in the process to obtain a state license

to sell marijuana, and in arrest and conviction rates pertaining to marijuana. The department

would publish the analysis on or before January 1, 2020.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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