Daily Briefing: How does a drug become legal in RI?

ALSO: Providence's zoning could get a major overhaul. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Mon Jun 24 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. How exactly does an illegal substance become legalized in Rhode Island? The close of the legislative session provided a lesson in the process when a bill that would make kratom legal was passed in both the House and Senate. In this case, moderate Democrats and the majority of the Republican caucus voted to legalize kratom, a psychoactive herb, while some of the chamber's most stalwart progressives rejected the bill. [In this week's Political Scene, The Journal's Antonia Farzan examines how the bill gained enough support despite opposition from the Department of Health and some lawmakers acknowledging they had never heard about it.]( [kratom bowl.png] Kratom in capsule and powder form. Provided by the American Kratom Association Advocates, however, have other feelings on why the substance should be legalized and lobbyists also played a role. • Providence's zoning could get a major overhaul. A return to rowhouses, a cap on the number of units in new apartment buildings and expanded historical districts are just a few of the things in the city's new comprehensive plan, which received its first stamp of approval last week. [The Journal's Wheeler Cowperthwaite takes a look at what's moving forward, why it matters and what comes next in the process.]( • The anniversary of D-Day may be passed, but that will never minimize the stories of the people who fought in Normandy, France. [Journal contributor Frank Lennon captures the stories of two more Rhode Island heroes who lost their lives on that day and the efforts of some veterans to honor them.]( • Journal columnist Mark Patinkin has shared the stories of many Rhode Islanders during his career. This week he reflects on one who has reached the top of his profession but hit many bumps along the way. [It seems he learned from each to get where he is today.]( • It's time to start planning out your fireworks viewing schedule and The Journal's Jack Perry can help. [He's compiled a list of shows by town and date so you can start filling out your calendar.]( More from The Providence Journal [Find the latest obituaries here.]( [Subscribers can read the eNewspaper here.]( WORTH A READ 💵 Gen X finally tops Boomer 401(k) balances, but [will it be enough to retire?]( 📰 [Lyme disease is becoming a bigger problem.]( Which states have the most cases? 🏃🏽 [Noah Lyles races to 100-meter title]( at US Olympic track and field trials 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. A new study conducted by vape manufacturer [Yocan,]( utilized the most recent smoking cessation data from the American Lung Association. to highlight the U.S. states where residents are most committed to quitting smoking, utilizing the most recent data from the American Lung Association. Rhode Island ranks eighth, with 58.6% of current smokers attempting to quit. [TODAY'S WEATHER]( ⛅ Breezy this morning; otherwise, mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid-80s. TOP STORIES [Family awards 100 scholarships to high school hockey stars]( [MaryEm and John Medeiros, in their Warren home, have been giving out scholarships in their son J.P.'s name for over 20 years - a way to keep the memory of the onetime Mt. Hope hockey player alive since his fatal car crash when he was a student at Quinnipiac.]( In the 20 years following J.P.’s death in 2002, his wish came true through an annual 'Thanksgiving on Ice' hockey game between Mt. Hope and Barrington. [READ MORE]( Advertisement [Members of the media tour The Breakers' third floor, which opens to the public this summer for the first time in the mansion's existence, offering a glimpse into the ongoing preservation process.]( [New Breakers mansion tour: 'Seeing the bones of the building']( The third floor had remained a private residence for the Vanderbilts as recently as 2018. Now it's opened for a limited time this summer. [READ MORE]( [A row of trophy heads includes the legendary Sasquash at one the booths of the Oddities & Curiosities Expo at the RI Convention center over the weekend.]( [Oddities & Curiosities Expo comes to RI]( The Oddities & Curiosities Expo lived up to its name offering a peek into a world of weird over the weekend at the RI Convention Center [READ MORE]( [Cars parked along the Narragansett sea wall for a Jonny Williams story. Photographed on Sunday, June 16, 2024.]( [What happened to the parking restrictions along Narragansett’s sea wall?]( Last year Narragansett’s Town Council passed an unpopular ordinance restricting parking along its iconic sea wall. But it seems unlikely to go into effect this summer [READ MORE]( [Jun 21, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla rides on a duck boat during the Boston Celtics Championship parade. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports]( [Which Boston team's victory parade was the best? Here's one opinion]( Since there are so many to rank in the last 24 years, let’s go with the top 3 from this era: The 2024 Celtics, the 2004 Red Sox, the 2011 Bruins. [READ MORE]( Advertisement Vote with Confidence This 7-day newsletter course will help you be an informed voter before Nov. 5. [SIGN UP NOW]( SUBSCRIBE TODAY Our Reporting. Your Stories. Full access to subscriber-only content on all devices. Share bonus subscription with a family member or friend. 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