Rhode Island becomes 11th state to legalize medical marijuana

[lemonboy]

House overrides Carcieri's medical marijuana veto
M.L. Johnson | January 3, 2006

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.

lemonboy Reviewed by lemonboy on 01-03-2006. Rhode Island becomes 11th state to legalize medical marijuana House overrides Carcieri's medical marijuana veto M.L. Johnson | January 3, 2006 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 Rating: 5

[ibreakthings]

yaaaay i didnt read that but yay

[Miss Green]

Yeah that's excellent i'm sure alot of people will benefit from this.So even though they've legalize it for medicinal uses will you still get prosecuted or are you safe with it?And does it also go for each state or not? :smokin:

[Myth1184]

Rhode Island isnt a state, my school has a higher population than they do.

[Myth1184]

The law requires them to register with the state and get a photo identification card

^Just so the cops can come to your door and arrest you

[Euphoric]

A definite victory. :thumbsup:

[Sgt. Pepper]

Rhode Island isnt a state, my school has a higher population than they do.

Rhode Island is very much a state - one of the 11 greatest, to be exact. Our popluation density is second only to New Jersey and I like Rhody a lot more than many other places in the country.

[Tmar.aLL.DaYmar]

its the 11th state? wow i had no idea there were so many. i thought it was basically just CA and a few others.

too bad SC will never legalize it. too many old fashioned ignorant republicans in office.

[lemonboy]

too bad SC will never legalize it. too many old fashioned ignorant republicans in office.

There was talk about legislation last year, actually. It was shot down pretty quickly though.

[beachguy in thongs]

Rhode Island isnt a state, my school has a higher population than they do.

Population of Rhode Island = 1,048,319

(43rd in the country)

LOL, where'd you go to school, California?