By Ramone Tarnaski

Will Rhode Island be the next state to legalize cannabis, or will many liberal states turn to the federal government for additional revenue? Now, as the state deficit rises, Rhode Island is about to take steps toward legalization.

The state is currently forecasting a budget deficit of $1.5 billion for the 2020 fiscal year, and analysts are concerned

In response, the Senate Finance Committee is considering a proposal to allow the legal sale of cannabis across state lines. Raimondo's plan would see state pharmacies run according to a legal model adopted by many other states. Rhode Island would control the industry, using a combination of tax revenue from marijuana sales and other revenue streams to meet state needs. Under the proposal, buyers could get up to one ounce of cannabis per day, and THC efficacy could not exceed 50 percent in any product.

“It's a new proposal that deserves a fresh look”, managing director Brett Smiley told reporters. He is also confident that the country is on the right track, and he is optimistic about the future of cannabis in Rhode Island.