cannabisnews.com: Another Victory For Marijuana Reformers

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  Another Victory For Marijuana Reformers

Posted by CN Staff on June 16, 2009 at 15:21:41 PT
By Chris Good 
Source: Atlantic Monthly 

Rhode Island -- In the latest advancement for marijuana law reformers, the Rhode Island state legislature today legalized medical marijuana stores in the state, overriding Gov. Don Carcieri's (R) veto.The new law will take effect immediately. Legislators voted in favor of the measure by wide margins on several votes today (vetoes of both House and Senate bills had to be overcome in each chamber): 67-0 and 64-0 in two votes in the House, and 35-3 in both House votes.
Carcieri had vetoed the legislation on Friday.This marks yet another victory for marijuana reformers in 2009, a year that has seen major advancements toward the inclusion of marijuana reform in the mainstream political lexicon. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger suggested a public debate on marijuana legalization in May, after the state's budget crisis and the Mexican drug war added some rationales to reform efforts. A Field poll showed 56 percent of Californians in support of outright legalization.President Obama, who had pledged to back off federal raids on medical marijuana users and sellers, took office, and with him new drug czar Gil Kerlikowske, who doesn't support legalization but oversaw the implementation of a decriminalization program as Seattle's chief of police. The new administration is viewed in the marijuana reform community as much easier to work with than the previous one, and as having a much friendlier approach to reformers' goals.Rhode Island's action "is of actual significance because it is the first state to take an existing medical marijuana law and add state licensed dispensaries to it," Mariuana Policy Project Communications Director Bruce Mirken said."This is a direct result from a more enlightened policy from the administration," Mirken said, citing Attorney General Eric Holder's cessation of medical marijuana raids.Source: Atlantic Monthly, The (US)Author: Chris GoodPublished: June 16, 2009Copyright: 2009 by The Atlantic Monthly CompanyContact: letters theatlantic.comWebsite: http://www.theatlantic.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/wRBdKPMzRelated Articles:Carcieri Vetoes Bill Allowing MMJ Dispensarieshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24867.shtmlAssembly, In Veto-Proof Votes, OKs Dispensarieshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24862.shtml

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Comment #16 posted by FoM on June 17, 2009 at 12:31:05 PT
OT: They Just Played This Song On XM Radio
It was played often on the radio many years ago. Great song from years gone by.One Toke Over The Linehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql0IB1zv2MA
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on June 17, 2009 at 10:50:46 PT
fight_4_freedom
It's great to see you. Things are moving forward slow and steady. Enjoy your summer.
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Comment #14 posted by fight_4_freedom on June 17, 2009 at 10:46:22 PT
Mr. Kampia
And it was nice to see he got the last word in as well. It's great to see the spotlight shining on our issue this week on one of the biggest news channels in America.Hope the Summer is going good for you all here at C-News. I've been super busy, plus I don't have much internet access so it's been hard to check in.Keep on keepin' on ya'll.
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on June 17, 2009 at 05:19:15 PT

Afterburner
Thank you. If you want to check out Neil's 125 songs from the archives to listen to here's a link. I remember the surfing music being played on the radio and I think one of the songs was also in a surfer type movie too.I read on the Rust List that Ben Keith said Neil has more songs ready for us very soon. It must be interesting to have music running thru your head all the time.http://mog.com/MusicRX/blog/1342684
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Comment #12 posted by Paint with light on June 17, 2009 at 00:39:36 PT

Victory is sweet
67-064-035-3Proof that a lot of our representatives in government get it.It is only a matter of time.Legal like alcohol.
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Comment #11 posted by afterburner on June 16, 2009 at 21:58:56 PT

Rob Kampia
I agree.For you, FoM:Neil Young: Greatest Canadian Hero
http://www.spinner.ca/2009/06/10/neil-young-greatest-canadian-hero/
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on June 16, 2009 at 19:53:44 PT

Rob Kampia
He did a good job. He doesn't get rattled and doesn't drift from his points and shows respect. That's a good thing.
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on June 16, 2009 at 18:48:19 PT

greenmed
I'm looking forward to watching it tonight. 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #8 posted by greenmed on June 16, 2009 at 18:35:30 PT

another friendly reminder
10PM ET How does your garden grow?  Randi Kaye, correspondent.http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/
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Comment #7 posted by greenmed on June 16, 2009 at 17:46:18 PT

great news
Congratulations to all the people of Rhode Island for being the first state on the east coast to allow cannabis dispensaries.To state the obvious...permitting medicinal use is always a good first step. However for many patients, obtaining cannabis can be difficult when they just don't know where to turn for it. This law, and similar laws that are or will be in other states, provide a safe, reliable and affordable way to get their medicine.True compassion - the small state has a big heart.Thank you to the activists who got this done, their supporters, and the legislature who did the right thing so overwhelmingly and repeatedly.
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Comment #6 posted by Sam Adams on June 16, 2009 at 17:15:13 PT

Rhode Island
Good will always triumph over evil in the end! You gotta believe that.Roger Williams would be proud of this for sure.
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on June 16, 2009 at 16:52:15 PT

Anderson Cooper 360: How Does Your Garden Grow?
Program Note: Watch Randi Kaye’s full report tonight on AC360° at 10 p.m. ET.URL: http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/15/how-does-your-garden-grow/
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on June 16, 2009 at 16:21:28 PT

RI Becomes 3rd State Allowing Marijuana Stores

By Ray Henry, Associated Press Writer June 16, 2009Providence, R.I. — Rhode Island become the third state in the nation Tuesday and the first on the East Coast to permit marijuana sales to chronically ill patients, a decision made over the objections of Gov. Don Carcieri.State lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to override a veto last week from the Republican governor, who warned the system could put people at risk of federal prosecution, would encourage illegal drug use and send conflicting messages to children about substance abuse.House lawmakers voted unanimously to override Carcieri's veto, while the Senate voted 35-4 to make the bill law."This gives a safe haven for those who have to go into the seedy areas to try and get marijuana," said Rep. Thomas Slater, D-Providence, who suffers from cancer and plans to smoke the drug for pain relief. "I think that this center will definitely help those who most need it."Slater received a standing ovation on the House floor.Patients can buy marijuana at unregulated stores in California, while New Mexico in March granted a license to a medical marijuana grower. Karen O'Keefe, director of state policies for the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, said the 13 states that have legalized medical marijuana are making a shift toward state-licensed production and distribution.Such legislation is being considered in Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, while a ballot initiative is being circulated in Arizona. In November, Maine voters will decide whether to permit marijuana dispensaries in their state."Combining regulated distribution with provisions for patients to grow a limited quantity for themselves is the best way to ensure safe access for patients, with solid safeguards to prevent abuse," O'Keefe said in a written statement.In 2006, Rhode Island began allowing chronically ill patients registered with the state Department of Health to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana in usable form and 12 plants. But the state never created a legal way to buy marijuana, and patients here have reported being robbed or beaten when trying to buy it from street dealers.Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, but U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has said the Obama administration will not target dispensers that follow state law.Copyright: 2009 Associated Presshttp://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6483323.html
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Comment #3 posted by HempWorld on June 16, 2009 at 16:08:36 PT

Carcieri eat this!
Carcieri please retire the vote is in! The people have spoken on this issue; get out of politics!
Now Legalize Industrial Hemp!
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on June 16, 2009 at 15:50:49 PT

MikeC
I love a good victory! 
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Comment #1 posted by MikeC on June 16, 2009 at 15:39:10 PT

Great news...
Congratulations Rhode Island!"67-0 and 64-0 in two votes in the House, and 35-3 in both House votes"? Wow, the folks in RI know how to elect them. Now they just have to throw that governor out on his ass!
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