The Rhode Island cannabis legalization bill is more than just an end to prohibition. It’s also about repairing past injustices and creating a new industry as fairly and equitably as possible .”
By Christopher Shea of Rhode Island Current
Rhode Island’s cannabis sector can expect new regulations to be implemented as soon as this fall, as the state has now selected the people who will draft them.
Gov. Dan McKee, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Rudgelio announced on Thursday their long-awaited selections for the Cannabis Advisory Board.
The board of 19 members will be composed of eight voting and 11 non-voting individuals. They are tasked to work with the Cannabis Control Commission in order to provide advice and make recommendations regarding the use, commerce and regulation of medical and adult-use cannabis in the state. The Rhode Island Senate has not given its consent or advice to any of the candidates, unlike those three members who were approved by the upper chamber of the state in June.
Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission has a 25-member advisory board.
Kimberly Ahern, the chair of the Commission, thanked Governors and leaders in the General Assembly for the appointments.
Ahern stated in a press release that he was looking forward to hearing the board’s views on a variety of topics including public health and safety, industry perspectives, social equity, etc.
“I appreciate the service of these individuals. They play an important role in advising the Cannabis Control Commission as we fulfill our statutory obligations to supervise the regulation, licensing, and control of medical and adult-use cannabis in our State.
Matt Sheaf is a spokesperson from McKee’s Office. He said that the board will “begin seriously this fall.”
Today, I am announcing that I have been appointed to the Cannabis Advisory Board of Rhode Island.
I’m grateful for their commitment to equity, health and industry excellence. I’m grateful for their commitment to equity, health and industry excellence.https://t.co/P8OdeSfLxq
Governor Dan McKee August 17 2023 HTML0
McKee chose three voting members while Shekarchi, Ruggerio and each other named four.
The eight remaining non-voting representatives will come from the following departments : Rhode Island Commerce Corporation (RICC), Department of Labor and Training (DLT), Department of Health and Human Services, Commissioner of Education’s Office, Department of Public Safety (DPS), Department of Business Regulations, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy.
The Cannabis Control Commission will appoint the non-voting member.
McKee’s Picks includes:
- Angela Bannerman Ankoma is the executive director and vice president of equity leadership for the Rhode Island Foundation.
- Stuart J. Procter is the co-founder of PureVita Labs, a cannabis testing facility based in West Warwick.
- Ronald Crosson will be the chairperson and social equity officer for the board. He is the executive director at the microbusiness incubator Urban Ventures Inc. in Providence. Cronsson is a member of the Providence Public Building Authority, and the Southside Cultural Center in Rhode Island.
McKee stated that “these three appointments represent a diversity of candidates with a range of experiences which will prove crucial in their new roles.”
Shekarchi’s top picks include
- Angelyne E. Cooper Bailey, legal counsel at the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
- Michael A. DiLauro is a retired public prosecutor
- Melina Lodge is the executive director of Housing Network of Rhode Island
- Armand T. Lusi is the president of Lusi Construction, and the Rhode Island Cultivator Industry Association.
According to the Rhode Island Cannabis Act the Speaker of House must appoint an industry representative to the advisory council.
Ruggerio’s picks include:
- Emily R. Almeida is a manager of quality and compliance for Green Thumb Industries. operates RISE Dispensary, located in Warwick.
- Dr. Mary J. Archibald is a truancy and school social worker at Providence Public Schools, and an adjunct professor in the Sociology Department of Rhode Island College and School of Social Work
- Dr. Dioscaris Garcia is a pharmacologist, microbiologist and expert in cell signaling. He is also the co-director and assistant professor of the Diane N. Weiss Center for traumatic injury research at Brown University.
- Nicole M. Verdi is an attorney and former deputy chief of staff of Gina Raimondo, who was the president of the Senate as well as the chief legal adviser.
In a joint press release, Ruggerio & Shekarchi stated that the Rhode Island cannabis legalization bill is more than just an end to prohibition. It is about redressing the wrongs of the past and creating a new, fair and equitably-run industry.
They continued, “This diverse board brings a wide range of perspectives and insights to help the Cannabis Control Commission with their mission.
This article was originally published by Rhode Island Current.
A GOP congressman says he’ll vote for legal marijuana on the Ohio ballot, as Governor calls the reform a’real mistake’
The original post Rhode Island Cannabis Advisory Board members appointed by Governor and top lawmakers first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
