FBI alert on corruption in marijuana licensing draws attention in FBI alert on corruption in marijua
The FBI has released a short audio notice asking for the public’s help investigating any possible public corruption in the nation’s burgeoning marijuana business — noting that some states are charging as much as $500,000 for dispensary licenses.
The announcement, released on the FBI’s website in August, has gotten the attention of local officials, since Rhode Island is one of the few states — if not the only state — that charges that much for a medical marijuana dispensary license.
While it’s unknown whether any Rhode Island lawmakers are under investigation, Gov. Gina Raimondo was emphatic Tuesday when she told reporters that the process for choosing who will win licenses for six new dispensaries next year will not mirror the allegedly corrupt process used in Fall River, where federal officials have charged the mayor with taking bribes from marijuana businesses.
Raimondo said the licenses will be chosen through a lottery system and the process and criteria used for deciding which companies win the lucrative licenses are still being drafted by regulators.
Read more: https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20191025/watchdog-team-fbi-alert-on-corruption-in-marijuana-licensing-draws-attention-in-ri
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