Editing Rhode Island (section)

==Legislation and taxes==
Rhode Island is one of 21 states that have abolished capital punishment; it was second do so, just after [[Michigan]], and carried out its last execution in the 1840s. Rhode Island was the second to last state to make prostitution illegal. Until November 2009 Rhode Island law [[Prostitution in Rhode Island|made prostitution legal]] provided it took place indoors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20050910-0019-sexforsale.html|title=Rhode Island police seek stricter anti-prostitution laws|author=Eric Tucker|access-date=April 13, 2008|publisher=Union-Tribune Publishing Co.|archive-date=September 5, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070905040414/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20050910-0019-sexforsale.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2009 study Rhode Island was listed as the 9th safest state in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.walletpop.com/insurance/safest-states |title=Safest States |publisher=Walletpop.com |access-date=January 26, 2013 |archive-date=December 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205081617/http://www.walletpop.com/insurance/safest-states }}</ref>

In 2011, Rhode Island became the third state in the United States to pass legislation to allow the use of medical marijuana. On May 25, 2022, Rhode Island fully legalized recreational use of marijuana, becoming the nineteenth state to do so.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-25 |title=RI becomes 19th state to legalize recreational marijuana |url=https://www.wpri.com/news/cannabis-coverage/mckee-to-sign-marijuana-legalization-bill-into-law/ |access-date=2022-06-15 |website=WPRI.com |language=en-US |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705033406/https://www.wpri.com/news/cannabis-coverage/mckee-to-sign-marijuana-legalization-bill-into-law/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Additionally, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed legislation that allowed civil unions which Governor [[Lincoln Chafee]] signed into law on July 2, 2011. Rhode Island became the eighth state to fully recognize either same-sex marriage or civil unions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/south/12004734046312/ri-gov-chafee-signs-bill-allowing-civil-unions/ |title=RI Gov. Chafee signs bill allowing civil unions |publisher=WHDH-TV 7News|access-date=January 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117053440/http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/south/12004734046312/ri-gov-chafee-signs-bill-allowing-civil-unions/ |archive-date=January 17, 2013 }}</ref> Same-sex marriage became legal on May 2, 2013, and took effect August 1.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nation.time.com/2013/05/02/rhode-island-becomes-10th-state-with-gay-marriage/ |title=Rhode Island Becomes 10th State With Gay Marriage |author=David Klepper |date=May 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521074459/http://nation.time.com/2013/05/02/rhode-island-becomes-10th-state-with-gay-marriage/ |archive-date=May 21, 2013 }}</ref>

Rhode Island has some of the highest taxes in the country, particularly its property taxes, ranking seventh in local and state taxes, and sixth in real estate taxes.<ref name=taxes>{{cite web |url=http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_07102007_ndown.5f1e041a.html |author=Downing, Neil |title=Rhode Island taxes rising, now seventh in the country |access-date=April 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211122919/http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_07102007_ndown.5f1e041a.html |archive-date=December 11, 2007 }}</ref>