Rhode Island Legalizes Medical Marijuana

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Rhode Island Legalizes Medical Marijuana
By M.L. JOHNSON
Associated Press Writer
Jan 3, 3:45 PM EST

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Rhode Island on Tuesday became the 11th state to legalize medical marijuana and the first since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that patients who use the drug can still be prosecuted under federal law.

The House overrode a veto by Gov. Don Carcieri, 59-13, allowing people with illnesses such as cancer and AIDS to grow up to 12 marijuana plants or buy 2.5 ounces of marijuana to relieve their symptoms. Those who do are required to register with the state and get an identification card.

Federal law prohibits any use of marijuana, but Maine, Vermont, Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington allow it to be grown and used for medicinal purposes.

The U.S. high court ruled June 6 that people who smoke marijuana because their doctors recommend it can still be prosecuted under federal drug laws, even if their states allow it.

Federal authorities, however, have conceded they are unlikely to prosecute many medicinal marijuana users.

"I'm sure everybody in this room knows at least one person who would have benefited from medical marijuana," Rep. Thomas Slater, who has cancer, told fellow lawmakers before the vote. Slater said he doesn't use marijuana now but it could become part of his treatment in the future.

© 2006 The Associated Press.

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House Overrides Carcieri's Medical Marijuana Veto
Posted by CN Staff on January 03, 2006 at 12:45:31 PT
By M.L. Johnson, Associated Press Writer
Source: Associated Press

Providence, R.I. --Rhode Island on Tuesday became the 11th state to
legalize medical marijuana and the first since the U.S. Supreme Court
ruled in June that patients who use the drug can still be prosecuted
under federal law.

House lawmakers voted 59-13, with one abstention, to override a veto by
Gov. Don Carcieri, allowing people with illnesses such as cancer and
AIDS to grow up to 12 marijuana plants or buy 2.5 ounces of marijuana to
relieve their symptoms. The law requires them to register with the state
and get a photo identification card.

Federal law prohibits any use of marijuana, but Maine, Vermont, Alaska,
California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington
allow it to be grown and used for medicinal purposes.

The U.S. high court ruled on June 6 that people who smoke marijuana
because their doctors recommend it can still be prosecuted under federal
drug laws.

Federal authorities conceded they were unlikely to prosecute many
medicinal users, and Rhode Island lawmakers pressed on, passing their
medical marijuana bill on June 7.

Carcieri vetoed it, and the state Senate voted the next day to override
his veto, but the House recessed before following suit. Tuesday's House
vote came just before the start of the 2006 session, allowing the law to
take effect immediately.

Rep. Thomas Slater, D-Providence, and Sen. Rhoda E. Perry, D-Providence,
introduced the legislation last year after watching family members
suffer from terminal illnesses.

Perry's nephew died last January of AIDS. Although marijuana may have
relieved his suffering, he never used it because it was illegal, she
said.

Slater has cancer and several of his family members died from it. He
said he doesn't need marijuana now, but it could be part of his
treatment in the future.

"I'm sure everybody in this room knows at least one person who would
have benefited from medical marijuana," he said before the vote.

Source: Associated Press (Wire)
Author: M.L. Johnson, Associated Press Writer
Published: January 3, 2006
Copyright: 2006 The Associated Press