IS -- MUNICIPALITIES SUING MEDIA COMPANIES.

THE SENATE PRESIDENT WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM MINE CASINO GAMBLING COME TO RHODE ISLAND.

ANNOUNCER: A LIVELY EXPERIMENT IS UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> FOR 30 YEARS A LIVELY EXPERIMENT HAS GIVEN INSIGHT.

I'’M A PROUD SUPPORTER OF THIS GREAT PROGRAM AND RHODE ISLAND PBS.

[CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY CARDI'S FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES] JOIN US AS BILLY HUNT, CHAIRMAN OF THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY, STEVE FRIAS THE BROKEN NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN AND FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BILL LYNCH.

THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE PEER COMPANIES OF THE MAJOR SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES SAYING THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE DETERIORATING MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

THERE SINGING AND UNPRECEDENTED -- SEEKING AN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF MONEY.

I WONDER IS THIS THE 2023 VERSION OF THE TOBACCO AND OUT LEAD PAINT AND OUT SOCIAL MEDIA.

STEVE: I AM SKEPTICAL OF THE LAWSUIT.

IT LOOKS LIKE MUNICIPALITIES LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO BLAME FOR THE PROBLEMS OCCURRING IN SOCIETY AND TRYING TO GET MONEY FOR THEMSELVES.

I DON'’T CARE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA AND I HATE THE FACT THAT I HAVE TEENAGERS WHO WANT TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA BUT THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS IT AS PARENTS GETTING INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILDREN'’S LIVES INPUTTING CONTROLS AND MAKING SURE THEY DON'’T GET INTO TROUBLE SPENDING SO MUCH TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

GOING TO COURT AND SUING PEOPLE REMINDS ME OF THE OZZY OSBOURNE, WHERE THEY SUED HIM BLAMING HIM FOR THE SUICIDE OF THEIR TEENAGE SON.

I THINK OF THIS AS A MONEY GRAB ATTEMPT.

I THINK IT INFRINGES ON FREE SPEECH SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> I THINK IT IS A COOKIE-CUTTER APPROACH, LIKE IT WAS ORIGINALLY WITH TOBACCO WHICH OBVIOUSLY WAS SUCCESSFUL.

YOU TURN THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS LOOSE THEY CAN FIND PEOPLE WITH DEEP POCKETS AND SUE THEM.

I DON'’T BLAME THE CITY OF EVIDENCE.

THE NEW MAYOR IS LOOKING AT THE ISSUE AND PROBLEMS THAT IT CAUSES WHICH ARE REALISTIC.

I DON'’T KNOW IF THAT IS THE ANSWER.

I HAVE BEEN MORE INTERESTED IN FOLLOWING THE LEGISLATION PRESENTLY BEING PROPOSED IN WASHINGTON RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF THE FEW AREAS WHERE THERE IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT IF THERE IS A WAY THAT MAKES SENSE TO LEGISLATE AND TRY TO CONTROL SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT SOCIAL MEDIA IS CAUSING.

TIM: WHAT WOULD THAT SUIT DO?

STEVE: TRYING TO SEE THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES AS MOST PEOPLE THINK THEY HAVE NOT BEEN AS TRANSPARENT USING ALGORITHMS AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING WITH INFORMATION THAT YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE USING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

AT SOME OF THE BILLS FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND FRANKLY THE CONGRESSMAN DESERVES CREDIT AS HE LEAVES BECAUSE HE WAS ONE OF THE LEADERS DOWN IN D.C.

TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO FOCUS ON THE ISSUES THE PROBLEMS IT IS CAUSING AND THERE MIGHT BE LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS IT.

>> PROVIDENCE SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN FAILING SINCE THE CORD PHONES.

WHEN I WAS KID IT WAS VIDEO GAMES AND MOVIES WITH SEX AND VIOLENT.

TIM: THE GOOD OLD DAYS WHEN YOU HAD TO GO TO THE THEATER.

>> EVERYTHING BACK IN THE DAY WAS A TRAGEDY THAT WOULD AFFECT THE YOUTH AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.

IT WILL DOWN TWIN OUT OF TOUCH GENERATION THAT DOESN'’T UNDERSTAND TECHNOLOGY AND PUT THE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE FOR THE CHILDREN TO USE THIS.

THERE ARE PARENTAL CONTROLS YOU CAN USE BUT IT TAKES EFFORT AND YOU HAVE TO BE INVOLVED WITH YOUR CHILDREN AND KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

THAT IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN AN NOT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE YOU SHOULD HAVE THOSE INTERACTIONS AND NOT BE RELYNG ON THE GOVERNMENT TO DO IT.

THE IDEA THIS IS GOING TO BE A ONE TIME FUNDING THAT WILL CREATE A DEPARTMENT THAT WILL NEED TO BE FUNDED AND STAFFED IN PERPETUATION AND WE KNOW WITH DEPARTMENTS IN THINGS IN GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE OF HER ISLAND THEY DON'’T GO AWAY.

IT MEDIA WILL DEVOLVE AND WILL BE A THING AND WILL STILL HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA DEPARTMENT IN 50 YEARS IF THEY HAVE THEIR WAY IN THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE.

>> ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH LITIGATION, IS THE TOBACCO LITIGATION DIDN'’T STOP PEOPLE FROM SMOKING, BUT IT DID RAISE AWARENESS.

IT PROBABLY STOP SOME PEOPLE.

>> THEY TOOK THE MONEY AND PLUGGED A BUDGET HOLE.

>> THAT IS MYI'’M NOT SURE THIS LEGISLATION IS GOING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES.

AS HESITANT AS I AM I THINK IT WILL BE BETTER ADDRESSED BY LEGISLATION BECAUSE THERE SEEMS TO BE SUPPORT IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AS WELL AS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WASHINGTON TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

TIM: DON'’T YOU THINK THE REGULATIONS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE MONEY?

IT IS ALMOST LIKE THE FOX SETTLEMENT, IN HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS AND EIGHT MOVE ON.

IT IS THE CONTROL.

>> $800 -- $800 MILLION IS NOT A LOT TO YOU AND STEVE.

TIM: WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE MONEY, WHEN YOU SAID ABOUT THE TOBACCO MONEY, THEY JUST PLUG THE BUDGET HOLES IN IT DIDN'’T HELP PEOPLE IN THE SCENARIO THAT IS NEEDED.

REGULATION COULD BE A SOLUTION BUT I THINK THE SOLUTION THAT IS BEST IS PARENTS BEING INVOLVED IN THEIR KIDS LIVES.

I PUT PARENTAL CONTROLS ON MY KIDS STUFF AND MAKE SURE THEY DON'’T HAVE IT FOR AN UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF HOURS AND TRY TO RESTRICT WITH VACANCY.

THAT IS THE BEST FORM, PARENT AND CHILD.

>> IN THE DECENCY ACT IT GAVE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS EXEMPTION FROM LIABILITY OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE PLATFORMS.

SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES LOVE REGULATION AND WANT REGULATION BECAUSE IT PREVENTS UPSTART COMPETITION IN PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVES THAT HAVE BETTER CONTROLS AND A BETTER PRODUCT IN ART MANIPULATING USERS.

IF WE DO REGULATE THESE COMPANIES MORE, IT WILL CREATE A BARRIER TO ENTRY AND DO WHAT IS KNOWN AS PREVENTING ANY NEW INNOVATIONS TO HAPPEN FOR THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES.

IT WOULD BE STAGNATED WITH WHAT THE REGULATIONS SAY AND ALL THE INFORMATION WILL BE LIMITED TO WHAT THE GOVERNMENT PARAMETERS ARE ONLY.

TIM: ISN'’T THAT WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF LEGISLATION?

IN ORDER TO GET AT THE REGULATION YOU WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE EXEMPTION.

>> THAT IS WHY I THINK IT WILL BE BETTER ADDRESSED FEDERALLY BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE ISSUES.

AT THE TIME THAT LEGISLATION WAS PASSED WAS AT THE EXISTENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AS IT EXISTS TODAY.

UNFORTUNATELY WHAT HAPPENS A LOT OF TIME WITH OUR GOVERNMENT IS THAT IT IS CONSTANTLY CATCHING UP IN INDUSTRIES LIKE THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES AND THEY ARE ABLE TO STAY A STEP AHEAD OF THEM.

I AM CURIOUS AND INTRIGUE THERE MAY BE SOME LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE BIG SHOES.

-- BIG ISSUES.

THE BIG THING IS PARENTS BEING ACTIVE AND INVOLVED AND PARENTAL CONTROLS THAT EXIST BUT THAT IS IN A PERFECT WORLD AND THIS IS NOT A PERFECT WORLD.

>> THEY SAY YOU HAD TO BE 13 TO SIGN UP ON FACEBOOK AND YOU HAVE KIDS WHO ARE 7, 8, 9 AND THEY HAVE FIGURED IT OUT.

IT IS A FULL-TIME JOB NOT ONLY BEING A PARENT BUT TRYING TO POLICE IT.

>> THERE ARE TWO PARENTS, I THINK IT TAKES TWO PARENTS HANDLING THE SOCIAL MEDIA STUFF.

BUT IT ALL COMES BACK TO THE HOME AND HOME LIFE AND HAVING THE GOVERNMENT SUBSTITUTE APPEARANCE IN THE LONG RUN IS VIABLE.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.

TIM: WE ARE GETTING TO THE END OF THE SESSION.

LEGISLATION IS BEING UNVEILED AND TALKED ABOUT ONLINE GAMING, BASICALLY HAVING YOUR CASINO ON YOUR PHONE, PROBABLY SOMETHING THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO WE WEREN'’T THINKING ABOUT.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT REVENUE DOWN THE LINE.

THE COVID MONEY WILL BE RUNNING OUT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FIGURES, IT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

WE WILL GET THE LEGALITY BUT ONLINE GAMING, IS THIS JUST AN EXTENSION OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING?

BILL: WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS.

TIM: GOING BACK TO CASINOS.

BILL: THIS WAS THE CREEPING EFFECT OF GAMBLING THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

THERE IS NO DOUBT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

WE GET CAUGHT UP IN THIS COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE, WHAT IS MASSACHUSETTS, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK DOING?

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT BIG BUSINESSES, NOBODY HAS MORE MONEY TO SORT OF GET THEIR MESSAGE OUT THERE THAN THE CASINOS AND GAMBLING COMPANIES, BUT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GAMBLE.

IT IS GOING TO BE ON YOUR PHONE AND YOU ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO IT.

THE QUESTION IS, IS IT GOING TO BE CONTROLLED, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO CONTROL IT?

IT RACY -- RAISES A WHOLE HOST OF SNIFFING ISSUES THAT I DON'’T THINK WE ARE READY FOR, FRANKLY.

TIM: GIVE HIM BREAD AND CIRCUSES AND THEY WILL NEVER REVOTE -- REVOLT.

AS LONG AS THEY HAVE ENTERTAINMENT THEY WON'’T LOOK AT THE SYSTEMIC ISSUES IN OUR STATE.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW LIBERTARIANS REGARD THE STATE, JUST COMPARE THEM TO ANACHRONISTIC BAND -- COMPARE THEM TO A CRIMINAL BAND, THE CRIMINAL BAND IT DOESN'’T LOSE MONEY, THEY MAKE MONEY AND THE GOVERNMENT IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND SEEMS TO FIND EVERY WAY POSSIBLE TO SCREW UP NLINE GAMING AND MAKE IT SOMETHING THAT IS MORE OF A SOCIAL ILL IN THE STATE NOT PROVIDE BENEFITS.

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO GO BACK TO FUNDING EDUCATION.

>> THAT SEEMS KIND OF QUAINT, FUNDING.

>> THEY ARE NOT TEACHING STATISTICS IN K-12 WHICH GOES TO SHOW THAT ANYONE WHO UNDERSTANDS STATISTICS WOULDN'’T PLAY THE LOTTERY.

MAYBE THAT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH WHY THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRICULUM.

GAMBLING SHOULD BE DONE JUST LIKE ANY TYPE OF FREE MARKETS, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED.

THEY ARE NOT BRINGING ANYTHING TO THE TABLE BUT DETRACTING FROM THE STATE.

>> YOUNGLING, WE WERE TALK ABOUT MARIJUANA, SMOKING, ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE BASICALLY VICES, PROMOTE ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR.

THE REASON WE DON'’T PROHIBIT IT IS THAT IT IS PROHIBITED -- IMPOSSIBLE TO PROHIBIT.

IT IS NOT EFFECTIVE.

WE ALLOW IT TO EXIST SO THAT WE PUT REGULATIONS ON IT AND THEN WE DO TAX IT SO THAT SOCIETY, THE COST OF THOSE ACTIVITIES, WE AT LEAST GET MONEY TO ADDRESS THEM, LIKE HEALTH CARE COSTS SOMETIMES AND GAMBLING ADDICTIONS ARE BAD.

ONLINE GAMBLING IN PARTICULAR, I AGREE WITH MR. LYNCH, IT IS THE NEXT STEP.

24/7 PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS CONSTANTLY TO GAMBLING.

PEOPLE WITH ADDICTIONS, IT IS GOING TO RUIN THEIR LIVES.

WE NEED SOMEBODY TO ADDRESS THOSE PROBLEMS AND I DON'’T THINK WE DO ENOUGH.

THE GOVERNMENT GETS MONEY FROM GAMBLING SOURCES BUT NEVER DEDICATION A PORTION OF IT TO DEAL WITH THE FALLOUT THAT COMES FROM IT.

THAT IS WHAT I THINK IS SAD ABOUT IT, WE DON'’T DO ENOUGH TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY ARE THE VICTIMS OF THEIR OWN ADDICTION.

>> I AM NOT SURE I DISAGREE WITH THAT.

I THINK ANY ADDICTION, WE DON'’T DO GOOD JOB INSTANTLY NOT A GREAT CHIVE DEALING WITH ANY ADDICTION.

RIGHT NOW THERE IS A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN RHODE ISLAND.

I'’M IN COURT THREE OR FOUR DAYS A WEEK AND YOU CAN'’T FIND A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL OR PSYCHIATRIST OR PSYCHOLOGIST THAT IS AVAILABLE TO TAKE EVEN YOUNG CHILDREN OR KIDS HAVING PROBLEMS.

WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF ADDICTIONS AND WE DON'’T DO A GOOD JOB ADDRESSING THEM OR PRIORITIZING THEM.

GAMBLING ADDICTION I THINK IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM, BUT WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A BETTER WAY TO DEAL WITH IT BECAUSE GAMBLING IS NOT GOING AWAY.

THERE IS GOING TO BE GAMBLING AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO IT ON YOUR PHONE AND IT WILL CREATE ADDITIONAL ADDICTION PROBLEMS.

I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOS THEIR DISTANCES, LIVES, FAMILIES DOING TO -- DUE TO ADDICTION AND GAMBLING.

THAT IS WHEN WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE MORE AS A GOVERNMENT.

TIM: MASSACHUSETTS IS EATING LUNCH WITH SPORTS BETTING.

SPORTS BETTING IS HERE AND IT WILL BE A BIG DEAL A YEAR OR TWO FROM NOW WHEN WE ARE SCRAPING FOR EVERY PENNY BECAUSE WE HAVE A $14 BILLION BUDGET.

>> BILLS POINT, AND THE IDEA OF THE ADDICTION AND SOCIAL ILLS, THOSE ARE SYMPTOMS OF A LARGER POINT OF LARGER PROBLEMS IN THE COUNTRY AND STATE THAT ARE PROVIDING THE SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION, ONLINE DAMMING, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND THIS IS A REFLECTION OF OUR COMMUNITY ND CULTURE AS A WHOLE AND WE NEED TO FOCUS MORE ON THAT THAN THE SYMPTOMS.

TIM: KNOW IF THE SENATE PRESIDENT WANTS SOMETHING IT USUALLY GOES THROUGH BUT HE HAS GOVERNMENT AND THE HOUSE SPEAKER.

IT IS THE FIRST WEEK IN MAY AND I WONDER IF THIS ESSAY TRIAL BALLOON OR IF THIS HAS ANY CHANCE OF GOING THROUGH THIS SESSION.

>> IF IT DOESN'’T GO THROUGH THIS SESSION WILL PROBABLY GO THROUGH THE NEXT ONE.

ONCE THE COVID CASH GOES AWAY, PEOPLE WILL BE SCRAMBLING LOOKING FOR MONEY AND THEY ALWAYS WANT TO GO AFTER THE SIN TAXES.

PEOPLE WHO ENGAGE IN THESE ACTIVITY, LET'’S GO AFTER THEM, IT IS EASY.

I AGREE THAT THIS SHOULD BE UP TO THE VOTERS AND THAT IS THE BEST WAY TO READ THE CONSTITUTION.

>> HE HAS BEEN A BIG ISSUE ON MAKING SURE VOTER APPROVAL, THAT SHIP SEEMS TO HAVE IT SAILED THE CONSTITUTION SAYS IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE AN EXPANSION IT HAS TO TO HAVE VOTER APPROVAL.

>> I THINK IS CORRECT AND I THINK THE STATE HAS DECIDED, WE NEED THE MONEY AND THE PEOPLE GENERALLY SUPPORT THESE SORTS OF ACTIVITIES BECAUSE IT WILL BE THERE ANYWAY SO LET'’S GET REVENUE FROM IT.

I THINK PROCEDURALLY IT SHOULD BE DONE BY VOTER APPROVAL.

TIM: LEGALIZED MARIJUANA WAS GOING TO BE A BIG THING A YEAR AGO.

THEY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO CREATE A CANNABIS COMMISSION AND IT TURNS OUT THE GOVERNOR STILL HAS NOT APPOINTED ALL THE PEOPLE NECESSARY FOR THAT.

THE SALES ARE LAGGING AND THEY HAVE TOO MUCH INVENTORY.

AND MAYBE BECAUSE WE ARE TEXTING IT A LOT?

BILL: MASSACHUSETTS GOT A LEG UP JUST LIKE SPORTS BETTING AND THEY HAVE ESTABLISHED IN PROXIMITY TO RHODE ISLAND.

PEOPLE GET INTO ROUTINES AND GO TO THE STORES THEY LIKE AND IT IS HARD TO BREAK THAT HABIT AND GO TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION.

RHODE ISLAND IS A STATE OF A MILLION PEOPLE, ONE IN FIVE USE CANNABIS IN THE COUNTRY AND NOT A LARGE POOL OF PEOPLE TO SELL THIS TO, NOT TO MENTION THE NUMBER OF THOSE USERS STILL BUYING IT ON THE BLACK OR GRAY MARKET.

WHEN YOU START THINKING ABOUT THE REVENUE PROJECTIONS WHICH WERE A MILLION DOLLARS A MONTH THEY WERE LOOKING TO GET, AND THEY ARE FALLING WELL BELOW THOSE FIGURES.

I DON'’T SEE IT GETTING ANY BETTER.

THE MORE DISPENSARIES AND MORE THAT OPEN UP, YOU GET MORE SUPPLY AND IT WILL INCREASE DEMAND AND PRICES.

IT IS GOOD FOR THE CONSUMER, I GUESS, BUT TO YOUR POINT, HIGHER TAXES MAKES IT MORE ATTRACTIVE TO STILL GO PURCHASE THE STUFF ON THE GRAY MARKET.

>> I THINK IT IS LIKE ANY NEW BUSINESS.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE PAST WHERE THERE WAS SO MUCH TIME AND EFFORT PUT INTO CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THE MARIJUANA MARKET WAS GOING TO EXPAND, BECAUSE EVERYBODY RECOGNIZED THAT IT WAS GOING TO EXPAND AND IT WAS CLEARLY DRIVEN BY WHAT OTHER STATES, WHICH IS CONSTANT FOR RHODE ISLAND, WHAT OTHER STATES AROUND US ARE DOING.

>> WE DON'’T LIVE IN MONTANA.

>> I THINK IN THE MARIJUANA BUSINESS IN PARTICULAR, I MET WITH A NUMBER OF PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THAT WHOLE PROCESS.

WHAT HAPPENED WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGH YOU COULD GET IN EARLY AND AN INEXPENSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND EVERYBODY WAS GOING TO BECOME MULTIMILLIONAIRES WHEN IT EXPANDED.

YOU HAD ALL OF THESE GROWERS, A LOT OF THEM WERE SMALL AND UNDERFUNDED WHO HAVEN'’T BEEN ABLE TO KEEP UP BECAUSE THEY ARE PRODUCING AND THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH LACES TO SELL IT AND THEY BECAME A ROW FINANCIAL STRUGGLE FOR THESE PEOPLE.

THE OTHER THING WE ARE SEEING WHICH WAS PREDICTABLE AND PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY COULD FIND A WAY TO AVOID IT IS BIGGER COMPANIES ARE NOW STARTING TO MOVE INT OTHER STATES, HAVING DONE THIS EARLY ON AND BECOME A BIGGER FACTOR, INCLUDING IN RHODE ISLAND.

YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH NORTH CAROLINA AND THAT WHOLE AREA WHERE TOBACCO FIRMS ARE BEING CONVERTED TO SOYBEANS AND MARIJUANA FARMS BECAUSE OF THAT DECREASED DEMANDS FOR TOBACCO.

IT IS CHANGING THE WHOLE ENVIRONMENT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE EARLY ON HAD PRELIMINARY LICENSES HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STATE SOLVENT BECAUSE OF THAT.

>> THEY HAVEN'’T BEEN ABLE TO ISSUE THE LICENSE BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HASN'’T APPOINTED THE CANNABIS COMMISSION.

HE HAS HAD A YEAR AND THEN THERE IS THE CLASSIC RHODE ISLAND THING, MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT CAN ADVERTISE.

YOU SEE THE BILLBOARDS AND WE CAN'’T DO THAT.

IT IS TRYING TO RUN A BUSINESS WITH TWO ARMS TIED BEHIND YOUR BACK.

>> ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE LAW WAS THAT IT WAS WRITTEN WITH THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND HOUSE SPEAKER GET TO SUBMIT A LIST AND SAY YOU HAVE TO PICK ONE OF THESE PEOPLE.

>> THEY HAVE DONE THAT ALREADY.

>> IT IS A SEPARATION OF POWERS.

>> SO YOU DO NOTHING?

>> THAT IS NUMBER ONE, SHOULD'’VE GONE TO COURT AND CHALLENGE IT.

IF YOU CAN'’T SUCCEED LEGALLY, THEN YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE LAW AND APPOINTPEOPLE ON THE LIST.

THE ADVERTISING, I HAVE KIDS WHO ARE TEENAGERS AND I HAVE NO INTEREST IN PROMOTING MARIJUANA.

THE FACT THAT THEY CAN'’T PUT ADVERTISING UP, I AM FINE WITH.

THEY SHOULDN'’T HAVE ANY BILLBOARD ADVERTISING.

I DON'’T WANT TO SEE JOE CAMEL, MR. BARBER ROAD.

>> THEY MIGHT BE GETTING IT ON INSTAGRAM?

>> I KNOW.

FOR ME, -- >> HE STILL HAS A ROTARY DIAL PHONE.

>> I AM NOT INTO VICE AND THIS IS A VICE.

PROMOTING IT WOULD MAKE IT A BIG INDUSTRY.

IF PEOPLE WANT TO DO IT, THAT IS FINE BUT I DON'’T WANT THEM TURNING RHODE ISLAND INTO A GIANT POT HISTORY AND HAVING BILLBOARDS AND ADVERTISING.

I AM NOT A BIG FAN OF THAT.

>> WE ARE MAKING THIS A BIGGER INDUSTRY THEN WE ARE WE SHOULD BE REGULATING CANNABIS PLANTS AS WE DO TOMATO PLANTS.

THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GROW IT HOWEVER THEY WANT AND USE IT HOWEVER THEY WANT AND THE FACT THAT WE ARE TRYING TO PUT BARRIERS AROUND IT AND BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE SURROUNDING IT IS JUST SHOWING OR CREATING A LIMITED NUMBER OF LICENSES AND WHATEVER YOU DO THAT YOU CREATE WINNERS AND LOSERS IN THE GOVERNMENT WILL CHOOSE WHO IS GOING TO HAVE THE LICENSES AND WHO IS GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND MAKE MONEY AND YOU END UP WITH OUT-OF-STATE AND LARGE CORPORATIONS WHO HAVE THE MONEY, BACKING AND SKILLS AND KNOW-HOW TO MANIPULATE AND NAVIGATE THE UNNECESSARILY COMPLICATED PROCESS.

THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE GENERATED IF WE HAD H-BACK, ELECTRICIANS, SERVING THE INDUSTRY IN GENERAL WOULD GENERATE ENOUGH TAX REVENUE TO SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY AND THE SAFEGUARDS AND THAT WOULD BE IN PLACE.

>> NO ICE IN THE FRIAS HOUSEHOLD.

>> I HAVE -- NOAH VICE IN THE FR IAS HOUSEHOLD.

>> I FATHER ALWAYS WAS NO DRUGS AND I AM THE SAME WAY.

>> CLARENCE THOMAS AND THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, AS A LAWYER, THERE IS ALWAYS BEEN PEOPLE LOOKING UP TO THE SUPREME COURT, EVEN IF YOU WEREN'’T A LAWYER AND DIDN'’T KNOW WHAT THEY DID, THEY HAD A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

AND THAT IS GONE AND HAS BEEN SHATTERED.

NATIONAL POLLS SAY THE CONFIDENCE IN THE SUPREME COURT AS BEING ANYTHING OTHER THAN OTHER POLITICAL ENTITY ARE GONE AT THIS POINT.

AND NOW WE HAVE INSTANCES WHERE CLARENCE THOMAS, MAYBE AMONG OTHERS HAS TAKEN WHAT LOOKS LIKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM WEALTHY REPUBLICAN BUSINESS MAN AND NOT DISCLOSED IT AND GOING ON HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WITH OF TRIPS AND HAS MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY IS TUITION BEING PAID BY POLITICAL DONORS.

EVEN IN RHODE ISLAND IF YOU HAD A JUDGE THAT WAS FOUND TO BE DOING WHAT CLARENCE THOMAS IS DOING, THEY WOULD BE OFF OF THE BENCH.

THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THEY WOULD BE PERMITTED TO MAINTAIN A SITTING JUDGE.

THE SUPREME COURT HAS TURNED ITS NOSE UP AT EVERYBODY AND SAID WE ARE GOING TO DO WHATEVER WE WANT AND WILL DECIDE WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG AND I THINK THEY ARE TONE DEAF TO WHAT THESE -- THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT.

SENATOR WHITEHOUSE HAS BEEN COMPLAINING AND TRYING TO PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON THIS ISSUE AND PEOPLE HAVE PUT HIM OFF.

UNFORTUNATELY FOR THE REST OF US, IT IS TURNING OUT TO BE COMPLETELY TRUE THAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS BECOME FRANKLY ANOTHER POLITICAL BODY AND HAS LOST THE RESPECT OF THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY.

TIM: THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CAN HAVE SAID, THIS IS BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATS ARE UPSET BECAUSE THEY DON'’T HAVE CONTROL.

THERE WAS JUST A REVELATION OVERNIGHT THERE WAS A NONPROFIT SET UP TO LAUNDER MONEY TO JUSTICE THOMASES WIFE AND THEY SAID MAKE SURE HER NAME IS NOT ON IT.

IT IS GETTING INTO DANGEROUS AREA.

IT GOES BEYOND POLITICS, IT IS BASIC ETHICS.

WHAT TO MAKE OF WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE CRITICISM OF THE SUPREME COURT.

ALITO SAYS WE ARE BEING HAMMERED EVERY DAY.

IS THAT JUSTIFIED?

>> I THINK IT ONLY PARTIALLY JUSTIFIED.

A LOT OF THIS IS ABOUT THE FRUSTRATION THAT LIBERALS HAVE THAT THE COURT IS CONSERVATIVE AND THEREFORE THIS IS PART OF THEIR AGENDA TO COURT PACKING.

WITH REGARDS TO THE MERIT OF THE POINT, THERE SHOULD BE MORE DISCLOSURE AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS.

SOME OF THOSE THINGS JUSTICE JOHN US DID I CALL TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS BUT I DON'’T KNOW IF THEY WERE INTENTIONAL.

THE PROBLEM IS YOU HAVE JUDGES LIKE SOTO MAYOR WHO IS NOT RECUSING HERSELF WHEN RANDOM HOUSE COMES IN FRONT OF HER AND SHE HAS A BOOK WITH THEM.

WHAT I THINK HAS TO HAPPEN IS THE JUDGES AT THE SUPREME COURT, LET'’S HAVE MORE DISCLOSURE LAWS, I THINK THE JUDGES SHOULD BE RECUSING THEM SELF WHEN AN INTERESTED PERSON IS BEFORE THEM AND THEM GIVES.

>> IS THAT ETHICS 101?

>> THE CLARENCE THOMAS THING IS MORE ABOUT DISCLOSURE.

THE GUY, MR. CROW, IS NOT APPEARING BEFORE HIM.

EIGHT FORTIS WAS TAKING $120,000 FOR A GUY UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR SECURITIES -- ABE FORTIS WAS TAKING 100 $20,000 FOR A GUY UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR SECURITIES FRAUD.

THERE IS IMPEACHMENT REMOVAL FOR HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS OR A CRIMINAL ACTION AGAINST YOU.

NONE OF THE STUFF I'’M SEEING WITH CLARENCE THOMAS IS CRIMINAL.

IT IS STUPID, BAD LOOKS AND HE SHOULD DISCLOSE THIS AND THE FACT THAT IT IS COMING OUT NOW HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE TIMING OF THE DOBBS DECISION.

TIM: LET ME GET OUTRAGE OR KUDO.

>> OUTRAGE, REAL QUICK.

IT IS MORE OF A CRITIQUE.

AT THE STATEHOUSE PEOPLE LIKE TO PROMOTE HOUSING LEGISLATION BUT SOME OF THE LEGISLATION DOES MORE THAN A HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND OVERRIDES LOCAL CONTROL.

MY SUGGESTION TO THE POLITICIANS AT THE STATEHOUSE IS STOP PUSHING LEGISLATION THAT OVERRIDES ZONING AND LOCAL CONTROL AND FOCUS ON HOUSING.

BEST WAY TO FOCUS ON HOUSING IS GIVES CITIES AND TOWNS FINANCIAL INCENTIVE TO HAVE MORE HOUSING BECAUSE OR HOUSING COSTS MONEY FOR LOCAL TAXPAYERS.

THAT IS MY CRITIQUE TO THE PEOPLE AT THE STATEHOUSE.

TIM: WE WILL PUT OUTRAGE KUDO CRITIQUE.

>> KUDOS SO WE ARE OUT OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY.

TIM: NEXT WEEK, YOU HAD THAT CIRCLE ON YOUR CALENDAR FOR THREE YEARS.

>> ALL THE SPENDING AND TRAINS OF DOLLARS REPRINTED, IT IS DISHEARTENING WHEN YOU HEAR DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TRAINING SAY ALL THE MONEY WE PUT OUT AN FRAUD AND OVERPAYMENTS IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE RECOUPED BY THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND WE ARE SPENDING MONEY ON PENGUINS AND GOD KNOWS WHAT ELSE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS KILLED THE ECONOMY AND INFLATION IS OUT OF CONTROL AND BANKS ARE FAILING, AND OFFER WHAT?

IT SHOWS HOW TERRIBLE THE WHOLE RESPONSE TO COVID WAS.

TIM: YOUR RESPONSE ON THE WHOLE DEAL WITH THE SUPREME COURT?

>> I DON'’T THINK IT IS THE END OF THE THOMAS SITUATION.

TIM: TODAY IT IS DRIP.

>> EXCAVATION IS A WHOLE OTHER THING, WHETHER THOMAS HAS DISCLOSED FUNDS HE WAS DIRECTLY BENEFITING FROM BECAUSE HE CLEARLY WAS.

YOU HAVE SOMEBODY PAYING FOR TUITION THAT YOU WOULD'’VE HAD TO PAY FOR AND GOING ON TRIPS.

I DON'’T THINK IT IS DONE.

I THINK IT IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

TIM: THE BOTTOM LINE IS HE CAN'’T BE REMOVED.

IT IS PUBLIC PRESSURE AND THERE IS NO WAY HE WILL VOLUNTARILY RESIGN OR THAT TIPS THE BALANCE OF THE COURT.

>> I DON'’T THING THIS IS THE END OF IT.

THERE'’S MORE TO COME AND I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO SEE AS PUBLIC PRESSURE BUILDS WHERE THAT GOES.

I DON'’T THINK CONGRESS WILL SETTLE EVERYTHING BUT THERE IS REGISTRATION ABOUT FORCING THEM TO DO MORE IN TERMS OF DISCLOSURE AND ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY.

TIM: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

COME BACK NEXT WEEK.

WE WILL BE ALL OVER WHAT HAPPENS AT THE STATEHOUSE AND MIX IN A LITTLE LOCAL AND NATIONAL.

WE WILL BE HERE WITH THE ANALYSIS.

COME BACK NEXT WEEK AS A LIVELY EXPERIENCE CONTINUES.

[CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY.

VISIT NCICAP.ORG] ♪ ANNOUNCER: A LIVELY EXPERIENCE IS UNDERWRITTEN BY -- >> FOR OVER 30 YEARS A LIVELY EXPERIMENT HAS PROVIDED INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS OF THE POLITICAL ISSUES THAT FACE RHODE ISLANDERS.

I'’M