Rhode Island Senate Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

[Ganjarden]

Rhode Island would be the third state in the nation and the first on the East Coast to allow nonprofit stores to sell marijuana to medical patients under legislation approved Tuesday by state lawmakers.

The state Senate voted 30-2 to adopt a measure permitting three stores to sell marijuana to more than 680 patients registered with the state Department of Health. It now heads to Gov. Don Carcieri, who has previously vetoed bills legalizing marijuana for medical use.

Since 2006, Rhode Island patients suffering from conditions including chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer's disease have been able to possess up to 12 marijuana plants and 2.5 ounces of the drug in a usable form. But buying marijuana remains illegal under state law, creating difficulties for patients who tried to obtain the drug.

"The Rhode Island Statehouse is on the cutting edge of helping people with severe health care problems," said Sen. Rhoda Perry, D-Providence, who sponsored the Senate bill. "Now patients will not be subjecting themselves to any harassment because we will have a well-regulated mechanism that will grow and distribute the marijuana."

Twelve other states allow for the medicinal use of marijuana, but Rhode Island would become only the third – after California and New Mexico – to create dispensaries.

"I think what will happen, assuming that programs work smoothly, is that other states will follow the example," said Bruce Mirken, spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project, a national advocacy group in Washington. "As a couple of states do it and the sky doesn't fall, we'll see more of them move in that direction."

Carcieri spokeswoman Amy Kempe said she could not comment on whether Carcieri would veto the measure, but the governor has larger concerns about weakening controlled substance laws and how to regulate the three "compassion centers."

The legislation has passed the House and Senate by veto-proof margins, with more than the 60% of lawmakers needed to overturn a veto.

The Rhode Island State Police have also voiced opposition to the measure, saying that authorities found California dispensaries to be drug trafficking organizations and fronts for organized crime.

George DesRoches, a Cranston native who smokes marijuana for chronic pain and fibromyalgia, said he's been held at gunpoint multiple times when trying to obtain the drug. DesRoches also said he's been robbed three times this year of the marijuana plants he grows.

DesRoches said approving dispensaries would help eliminate many of the issues for him and other patients.

"The number one advantage would be safety for all patients and availability for all patients. It's pretty simple," said DesRoches, who did not report the incidents to police.

Former President George W. Bush's administration had targeted California dispensaries, even if they complied with the state's marijuana law. However, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder recently announced that President Barack Obama's administration would not target marijuana dispensers that follow state law.


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Source: USA TODAY
Contact: USA TODAY
Copyright: 2009 USA TODAY
Website: Rhode Island Senate Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

 

[Angus McSpuds]

RI Assembly Overrides Veto on Marijuana Compassion Centers


Donita Taylor and Cynthia Needham
June 16, 2009
Providence Journal
Rhode Island became the third state in the country Tuesday to allow the sale of marijuana for medical purposes.

The House and Senate easily overrode Governor Carcieri’s veto of bills that would permit up to three dispensaries that advocates have dubbed “compassion centers.”

In 2006, the General Assembly permanently legalized the use of medical marijuana. Doctors could prescribe it for critically ill patients. But there was no legal way to buy the drug, leaving patients or their caregivers to grow it, or buy it on the street.

“For the more than 600 Rhode Islanders who rely on medical marijuana to help relieve the unimaginable suffering that some diseases cause, or to relieve their nausea enough to take food, this will provide not only relief and safety, but also dignity,” said Rep. Thomas C. Slater, who sponsored the bill in the House and is himself battling advanced cancer.

“Sick people should not be forced to associate with drug dealers and the dark underbelly of society to get the help they need. I’m glad we’re finally recognizing their right to access marijuana safely, legally and without needless shame or fear,” said Slater, a Providence Democrat.

In late May, the House approved Slater’s bill by a 63-to-5 vote. An identical bill sponsored by Sen. Rhoda E. Perry passed the Senate on June 9 by a vote of 31 to 2. Although both votes indicated a veto-proof majority, Governor Carcieri vetoed them on June 12, saying “the increased availability, along with a complacent attitude, will no doubt result in increased usage, and will negatively impact the children of Rhode Island.” He also said the dispensaries would complicate the jobs of law enforcement officers and create a perception that Rhode Island is complacent against illegal drugs.

“We still have our same concerns,” Carcieri spokeswoman Amy Kempe said after Tuesday’s overrides. “The administration believes there are a lot of issues that should be looked at legislatively before we proceed.”

She cited concerns for the safety of patients who will use compassion centers. “They’re easy targets, walking out with medicinal marijuana –– two blocks later they’re being mugged.”

California has compassion centers where patients with a prescription can buy marijuana legally, but those dispensaries were not created by legislation and are not regulated. Earlier this year, New Mexico became the only state to license nonprofit producers of medical marijuana.

At least one national marijuana advocacy group hailed Rhode Island’s veto override as historic. “Now that the Obama administration has announced a policy change,” said Aaron Houston, director of government relations for the Marijuana Policy Project, “state legislators seem to feel safer adopting a sensible, regulated system of medical marijuana distribution that avoids the mistakes of California, where dispensaries sprang up with no rules. This is a historic step forward.”

States now considering creation of state-licensed dispensaries include Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, and a ballot initiative is being circulated in Arizona, according to the Marijuana Policy Project. This November, Maine voters will consider a ballot initiative to add dispensaries to the state’s medical marijuana law.

After Tuesday’s vote — the first override of the year — Slater assured his colleagues the forthcoming centers will be monitored. “I know many of you had hesitation over this bill, but I can assure you we will have consistent oversight so nothing goes wrong.”