cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Bills Go To Gov. Carcieri 





Marijuana Bills Go To Gov. Carcieri 
Posted by CN Staff on June 29, 2005 at 17:24:20 PT
By Joe Baker, Daily News Staff 
Source: Newport Daily News
Providence, R.I. -- Rhode Island soon could be the 11th state to legalize the use of marijuana by people with debilitating or chronic diseases. The Senate on Tuesday voted 33-1 to send identical House and Senate medical marijuana bills to Gov. Donald L. Carcieri. Although the governor has vowed to veto the legislation, the Senate and House approved it by large enough margins to override him. Last week, the House approved the bills 51-10. The General Assembly needs a 60 percent vote to override a gubernatorial veto.
The bills were approved Tuesday without debate. But before the session, the bill's sponsor, Sen. Rhoda E. Perry, D-Providence, blasted Carcieri for his veto vow, claiming the governor was being hypocritical.Carcieri spokesman Jeff Neal said Carcieri opposed the bill, in part, because it would place law enforcement officials in a compromising position because federal law still bans marijuana.But Perry said that last year the governor had no hesitation in signing legislation allowing Rhode Islanders to buy cheaper prescription drugs in Canada despite a federal law prohibiting that practice.Neal said the two bills were fundamentally different. He cited the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled that state medical marijuana laws did not protect people from federal prosecution."There is no federal law that prohibits an individual from purchasing, possessing or using drugs from Canada," Neal said. "It (puts) distributors at risk of some federal action, but not individual Rhode Islanders."Secondly, the Canadian drug bill is about helping hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders access safe, affordable scientifically proven medication. The medical marijuana bill is designed to help a very small, comparatively, segment of the Rhode Island public access a substance that has not been approved by the federal government ... and which has not been scientifically concluded to have proven benefits."The legislation would allow those with written authorization from their doctor to obtain identification cards from the state Department of Health that would protect them from state prosecution for using marijuana. Covered medical conditions would include cancer, multiple sclerosis, AIDS and Crohn's disease.An approved patient would be able to possess up to 2.5 ounces of "useable marijuana," which does not include stems and seeds, or grow up to 12 marijuana plants. The legislation requires that the plants be grown indoors.The legislation has a two-year sunset provision, meaning it will expire on June 30, 2007, unless the legislature extends it. The bill requires the Department of Health to issue a progress report on the law to the legislature before the law expires.Sen. Marc Cote, D-Woonsocket, voted against the bill.A recent Zogby poll indicated that 69 percent of Rhode Islanders support a medical marijuana law. Source: Newport Daily News, The (RI)Author: Joe Baker, Daily News Staff Published: Wednesday, June 29, 2005Copyright: 2005 Newport Daily NewsContact: Editor NewportRI.comWebsite: http://www.newportdailynews.com/Related Articles & Web Site:MMJ Information & Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmBeyond The Myth, There's Relief for The Painhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20916.shtml Medical Marijuana? Rhode Island Says Yeshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20914.shtml
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Comment #5 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on June 29, 2005 at 18:24:18 PT
Hemp Candies
I am putting the blame here on Chronic Candy Inc. because they are asking for trouble with their advertisements connecting the candy with marijuana, which it is not. This is a shame, they should have left well enough alone and sold their candy under the name it really is: Hemp. So to sum it up, their stupidity is losing sales revenue.The candy is very delicous and is NOT marijuana.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on June 29, 2005 at 18:19:07 PT
Breaking News: Carcieri Vetoes MMJ Bill
Carcieri Vetoes Medical Marijuana Bill Governor Says Bill Is Flawed, Could Encourage Marijuana Abuse June 29, 2005PROVIDENCE -- The governor on Wednesday vetoed a medical marijuana bill that enjoyed strong support in both chambers of the General Assembly.The bill would protect from prosecution seriously ill people who had a doctor's recommendation that marijuana could help them.In his veto message, Gov. Don Carcieri said the bill is flawed and could encourage marijuana abuse. "This bill will increase the availability of marijuana on the streets of our state," Carcieri said. He also said the proposed legislation would give Rhode Islanders a false sense of security, since medical marijuana use would remain illegal under federal statues.Legislators believe they have the votes to override a veto, making Rhode Island the 11th state to permit medical marijuana use. The bill passed 52-10 in the House and 34-2 in the Senate.Rep. Thomas Slater, the House sponsor, said he was not surprised by the veto, but was displeased."The governor has shown no compassion for the people who really need it," Slater said.He denied that the measure -- which would allow licensed patients to have 12 marijuana plants or 2 1/2 ounces of usable marijuana -- would increase the amount of marijuana available."Marijuana is prevalent in the state and it will always be there," he said.Carcieri's veto came the day after representatives from the Office of National Drug Control Policy visited the governor's policy director.According to both sides, they reiterated that federal law prohibits medical marijuana use, and said marijuana has not been proved to be a safe and effective medication.Jeff Neal, Carcieri's spokesman, said they did not explicitly ask for a veto.Bill supporters say while medical marijuana would still be illegal under federal law, most marijuana possession prosecutions happen under state law.http://www.turnto10.com/politics/4668471/detail.html?rss=pro&psp=news
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Comment #3 posted by mayan on June 29, 2005 at 18:18:25 PT
FoM
I have a feeling the Chicago City Council will soon be facing some lawsuits!
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Comment #2 posted by mayan on June 29, 2005 at 18:16:53 PT
Waiting For Carcieri
Carcieri spokesman Jeff Neal said Carcieri opposed the bill, in part, because it would place law enforcement officials in a compromising position because federal law still bans marijuana.But aren't R.I. LEO's sworn to uphold R.I. law? Carcieri is in a no-win situation. He will either piss the people or his handlers off! We can only win!Sorry if this has been posted...Reefer Madness - The Supreme Court rules the Feds can prosecute sick patients who use medical marijuana, highlighting the vast difference between law and justice in America:
http://www.interventionmag.com/cms/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1096THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Former Military Demolition Pro Now 'Blows Out' Neo Con Protest Songs; Inspired And Angry, He's Now Writing Song About WTC Hero-Janitor For Efforts To Get At 9/11 Truth:
http://www.arcticbeacon.citymaker.com/articles/article/1518131/28367.htmRove's 9/11 political game: Strategy or insanity?
http://www.onlinejournal.com/Commentary/062905Garger/062905garger.htmlBush slammed for Iraq link to 9/11:
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/06/29/bush.intl/9/11 Related Music:
http://www.911blogger.com/2005/04/special-feature-911-related-music.html
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on June 29, 2005 at 17:58:28 PT
City Council Bans 'Pot Suckers'
Alderman Says Candy Poses Danger June 29, 2005CHICAGO -- The Chicago City Council passed a law banning the sale of marijuana-flavored candy, NBC5 reported on Wednesday.Chicago stores selling the candy will face fines up to $500 and possible suspension of their business licenses.The move comes as Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan investigated the California-based Chronic Candy company, which manufactures lollipops flavored with hemp seed oil, referred to as "pot suckers." Alderman Ed Burke said the candy is marketed with slogans such as "like taking a hit with every lick," and "tastes like the real deal," and the candy poses a danger of enticing children to experiment with drugs.Ald. James Balcer (11th) said aldermen should also call for a boycott of any businesses that sell the candy.Additional information provided by City News Service.Copyright 2005 by NBC5.comhttp://www.nbc5.com/news/4667522/detail.html?z=dp&dpswid=2265994&dppid=65193
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