By any objective measure, cannabis is safer than alcohol, and our state laws should reflect that. Rather than maintain a system that pushes cannabis into an illicit market, Rhode Island should regulate cannabis and create rules that actually safeguard public health and safety. Our state's legalization law should also automatically expunge prior criminal records. Cannabis prohibition laws have done tremendous harm, and we need to take a new approach. All of our neighbors in New England have either already moved ahead or will soon. Let's do the smart thing and pass a legalization law this year, so we can enjoy the economic and social benefits. As a constituent in your district, I appreciate you taking my views into consideration.