PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Trying to beat Massachusetts to the punch, marijuana-legalization advocates on Wednesday unveiled a proposal that would allow recreational pot shops to open in Rhode Island before any will be allowed to conduct sales in the Bay State.

While the opening of Massachusetts pot shops has been delayed by lawmakers until July 2018, forthcoming legislation would allow existing Rhode Island medical dispensaries to begin recreational sales six months after a bill passes. Such a bill would give Rhode Island a head start on sales if action is taken any time during the six-month legislative session.

Meanwhile in an early effort to assuage concerns from law enforcement, advocates will propose limiting home grows to just one mature plant. Anyone 21 or older who grows a plant at home would need to buy a tracking tag from the state – a system that went into effect this month for medical marijuana plants as regulators try to curb sales to the black market. [Read more at the Herald News]