Daily Briefing: What reclassifying pot could mean in RI

ALSO: Are PC basketball games the hottest ticket in RI? ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Tue May 7 2024 Will Richmond | Managing Editor Communities & R.I. [@Will_Richmond]( Good morning, I'm Will Richmond at [The Providence Journal]( and this is the Daily Briefing. It appears the federal government is moving closer to loosening its grip on marijuana. Currently classified as a “Schedule 1” substance – in the same category as heroin and LSD, dispensaries across the state find themselves facing limitations on everything from banking to tax deductions. But now the Justice Department is considering reclassifying marijuana as a “Schedule 3” drug, the times, they could be changing. Yes, marijuana would remain illegal under federal law, but that's not enough for local dispensaries to put the breaks on the change. [02_Weed_05022024.JPG] A vehicle pulls up to the drive through take out menu at Mother Earth Wellness on May 2, 2024. According to Joe Pakuris, dispensary owner, this is only pot drive thru in New England. Kris Craig/The Providence Journal [The Journal's Tom Mooney has the details on what it would mean for local pot businesses and what exactly would change.]( • With Rhode Island in desperate need of housing one factor stands out to a Boston developer – fear. That's what Adelaide Grady told the audience at a real estate symposium put on by Roger Williams University last week. But do others agree with her? [The Journal's Wheeler Cowperthwaite takes a look at Grady's feelings and why some don't necessarily agree.]( • While most of New England was wrapped up in watching the solar eclipse on April 8, a Warwick couple were in a big tent next to the State House, waiting for their turn to serve as extras in the Twentieth Century Studios movie "Ella McCay." [The Journal's Paul Parker reports on the experience.]( • Last season may not have ended with an NCAA Tournament berth and Big East Player of the Year Devin Carter is off to the NBA but interest in the Providence College Friars is as high as ever. How can we tell? [The Journal's Bill Koch takes a look at how season ticket sales are going for next season and here's a hint – you may be waiting a while if you don't already have them.]( • Do you know about the massive, two-ton tribute to Taylor Swift is hiding in Westerly? [The Journal's Antonia Farzan does and has the details on how you can find it.]( More from The Providence Journal [Find the latest obituaries here.]( [Subscribers can read the eNewspaper here.]( WORTH A READ 👴 Democratic lawmakers [demand answers on nursing homes' staffing, corporate spending]( 🗳️ [Fewer Black Americans say they will vote]( in the 2024 election, new poll says 🤖 [Robot dog helped end standoff in Hyannis.]( But some worry about 'random' harmful use RHODY RANKS Every day we receive emails ranking Rhode Island. While the work behind the ranks may be dubious, they can be fun. Each day I'll share where Rhody Ranks from one of the latest emails. Upgraded Points released a [new report]( about the most popular store-issued credit cards in each U.S. state. Placing first in Rhode Island is Home Depot, followed by Best Buy. [TODAY'S WEATHER]( ☀️ Mostly sunny and very warm; a large range in temperatures from coastal to inland areas. Highs in the upper 70s. TOP STORIES [Watch the new commercial trying to lure drivers over the Washington Bridge]( [A new commercial promoting East Providence businesses emphasizes that traffic has lessened]( The 30-second spot features lots of familiar small businesses like O Dinis, Miller's Roast Beef, El Mariachi, McBride's Pub and others. [READ MORE]( Advertisement [Moke and Pickman electric vehicles were on display at The Gathering, part of the Audrain Concours + Motor Week. The cars are owned by Jeff Lipshires, founder of J2 Construct and Classic Coast Motors.]( [Why golf carts won't be out as low-speed vehicles hit the streets]( Despite the law not having gone into effect, there are already proprietors in Rhode Island selling LSEVs in anticipation of the summer. [READ MORE]( [Updated photos of the Washington Bridge eastbound traffic with three lanes now open on April 9, 2024.]( [Cost of Washington Bridge replacement rises above $400M.]( Cost of Washington Bridge replacement rises above $400M. Where will RI find the money? [READ MORE]( [U.S. Secretary of Commerce and former Governor of RI, Gina Raimondo takes a turn at the podium as officials break ground at Naval Station Newport (RI) on a new facility that will serve as the future home of the NOAA Marine Operations Center-Atlantic (MOC-A). Left to right in photo are U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Representative Gabe Amo, Raimondo, RI Governor Dan McKee, NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D., Captain Henry M. Roenke IV, Commanding Officer of Naval Station Newport and Rear Admiral Nancy Hann, Director, NOAA Corps and Office and Marine and Aviation Operations.]( [New NOAA center in Newport to support fisheries and climate research]( U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo was back in Rhode Island Monday for a groundbreaking for a new headquarters for NOAA's Atlantic research ships. [READ MORE]( [Lindsey Rowe, East Greenwich girls lacrosse Maddi Goodwin, La Salle girls lacrosse]( [Halvorsen the hero as EG girls lax stays hot with win over La Salle]( East Greenwich girls lacrosse continued their stellar second half as the defense dominated and the underclassmen came up clutch in a win over La Salle. 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