What you need to know about legal weed in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE — With a swipe of a pen, Rhode Island on Wednesday joined its two neighboring states and 16 others in legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. 

Less than 24 hours after lawmakers overwhelmingly passed the bill, Gov. Dan McKee signed the measure, which promises automatic expungement of past marijuana possession convictions and reserves a quarter of new retail store licenses for minority communities disproportionally hurt by the War on Drugs. 

Speaking on the steps of the State House, awash in sunlight, McKee said the law was “equitable, controlled and safe” while establishing a regulatory framework that emphasizes public health and safety. “The end result is a win for our state both socially and economically.” 

The law calls for retail sales beginning Dec. 1, but it will be a while before most of the stores are open. 

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