cannabisnews.com: RI Assembly Overrides Veto on Marijuana Centers
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RI Assembly Overrides Veto on Marijuana Centers
Posted by CN Staff on June 16, 2009 at 20:05:03 PT
By Donita Naylor & Cynthia Needham, Staff Writers
Source: Providence Journal
Providence, R.I. -- 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.”With reports from Steve PeoplesSource: Providence Journal, The (RI)Author:    Donita Naylor and Cynthia Needham, Journal Staff Writers Published: Wednesday, June 17, 2009Copyright: 2009 The Providence Journal CompanyContact: letters projo.comWebsite: http://www.projo.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/I4bdah8eRelated Articles:Another Victory For Marijuana Reformershttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24875.shtmlCarcieri Vetoes Bill Allowing MMJ Dispensarieshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24867.shtml
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Comment #7 posted by rchandar on June 17, 2009 at 13:05:51 PT:
North Carolina
It's very good this is happening. God willing, we will erase the damage of the Bushwhacking years, even here.--rchandar
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Comment #6 posted by Storm Crow on June 17, 2009 at 10:08:45 PT
A grand excuse!
"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.”Are you trying to say that it is ever SO MUCH SAFER to buy from a street dealer??? In a "shady" part of town... Who may rip you off, or just let his friends mug you 2 blocks later? Just how is that safer is than buying from a well-run, well-lit public business with a security guard on duty? If your governor is so worried about MMJ patients being mugged for their NON-ADDICTIVE herbal medicine, what is happening with all the conventional medicine patients? Are they being mugged by addicts for their expensive, addictive pain and mood-altering pills, two blocks from the pharmacy? It would seem logical that the people with high priced, addictive drugs would be an even "juicier" target for muggers than people with a bit of herbal medicine! Are your pharmacy users being mugged two blocks from the pharmacy? Why would you expect a dispensary to be a bigger target than a pharmacy? And last time I checked, there was NOT a security guard at my pharmacy!Ms. Kempe, your argument holds about as much water as a sieve and has just about as many holes! 
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on June 17, 2009 at 09:24:53 PT
NC: House Health Committee Considers MMJ Bill
House Health Committee Considers Medical Marijuana Bill ThursdayStaff Reports June 17, 2009 Raleigh, N.C. -- In a historic first, the House Committee on Health will take testimony on House Bill 1380, a measure to protect seriously ill North Carolinians from the risk of arrest and jail for using marijuana for medical purposes if their physician recommends it.URL: http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090617/LOCAL/90617025
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Comment #4 posted by runruff on June 17, 2009 at 06:15:32 PT
His honorable gov?
The budget trough sucker is posturing for his rubugnat base that is all. He is wasting tax payer time and money so he can further his career. He probably sees himself as the next prez come to save the country or at least a hefty portion of if for himself!
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Comment #3 posted by OverwhelmSam on June 17, 2009 at 04:55:18 PT
Dumbass Governor
He knew his veto would be overturned by the state legislature, and he still vetoed the bill anyway! What an ass.
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Comment #2 posted by EAH on June 16, 2009 at 20:32:57 PT:
Compassion prevails 
A wise and intelligent move by the legislature. The most sensible and functional policy to address concerns voiced by the Governors spokesperson is to decriminalize or even legalize possession for personal use.It's remarkable how fearful, cowardly and dishonest many politicians are and how others are able to muster their courage and do the right thing.
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Comment #1 posted by EAH on June 16, 2009 at 20:31:08 PT:
Compassion prevails 
A wise and intelligent move by the legislature. The most sensible and functional policy to address concerns voiced by the Governors spokesperson is to decriminalize or even legalize possession for personal use.It's remarkable how fearful, cowardly and dishonest many politicians are.
[ Post Comment ]


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