Rhode Island Will License Medical Marijuana Shops, Overriding Veto

The Rhode Island legislature overrode a gubernatorial veto of a medical marijuana law Tuesday afternoon by an overwhelming margin, paving the way for state-licensed medical marijuana shops to begin operating. The House voted 68-0 for the pot measure and the senate moved it minutes later by a 35-3 count.

Once the law takes effect, the state will be the first in the nation to have one officially licensed nonprofit center selling marijuana. Over time, the state will license further nonprofit dispensaries.

The bill got a boost in the state after a much publicized incident in which a pot dealer beat up a medical marijuana patient. Proponents of the bill argued that patients shouldn't have to deal with unregulated, unlicensed drug dealers, but deserved a more orderly system.

In March, New Mexico became the first state to grant a state license to a medical marijuana producer.

"We are seeing a historic shift to allowing state-licensed, regulated medical marijuana production and distribution," said Karen O'Keefe of the Marijuana Policy Project after the vote.

Legislators in Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina and Pennsylvania are considering similar legislation. Arizona and Maine voters may soon vote on similar initiatives.

The Rhode Island bill's passage was only made possible by President Obama's announcement that his Justice Department would not raid medical marijuana dispensaries in states where they were following the law.

California's dispensaries operate legally in the state but don't have the kind of exclusive state license that the new Rhode Island shop will have.

Jesse Stout, executive director of the Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition, which led the charge on the bill, said that state Rep. Tom Slater's announcement Saturday that he would himself begin using medical marijuana to treat his rapidly advancing cancer swayed the General Assembly. Slater, a Democrat, is the bill's sponsor.

The Rhode Island Department of Health will license one nonprofit "compassion center" in 2010 and two more in 2011. They will grow and distribute marijuana and provide it to an unlimited number of patients.

My book, This Is Your Country On Drugs: The Secret History of Getting High in America, is now out.

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Comments

[Ratfink1]

I never thought I would live to see the day that NC or any state for that matter would even consider legalizing medical pot. I go monthly to the Pain Clinic for managed pain relief. They prescribe various opiates that equal some form of heroin, but God forbid they give me the option of a natural plant. I am thrilled at this new mindset. President Obama can be directly thanked for not opposing the move in this direction. Bush tried to stop states from doing what their residents voted into law by using the federal law to over ride the will of the people. Full steam ahead!

[LittlePurpleUSA]

The House voted 68-0 for the pot measure and the senate moved it minutes later by a 35-3 count.

Damn.

[Z-Liberator]

How cute a smurf.

[Scatamousche]

It's not enough for the Obama administration to pay lip service to states rights. You can't say you won't raid dispenseries and then allow the DEA to go in and do it.

Rep. Hinchey is trying to get the Executive branch to clearly spell out their position on this matter.

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/589/house_committee_seeks_clarification_of_DOJ_medical_marijuana_stance

Support this bill!

[Ray46]

I wonder how many years before people who need it for medical reasons can get a prescription filled at any pharmacy and have their medical insurance cover the cost?

[Vr6]

Yes, it would be wonderful but I would hope the Masses we're sufficiently smart to realise..... people do it anyway! Stay out of another's business for heavens sake - regulated it fine - but stop the denial!

[CitizenIndie]

Draconian rules are being lifted in the United States. This is a historic and exciting time to see the old "blue laws" and other types of religious moralities chipped away allowing for true freedom.
There are signs that things are getting better.

[AthleticMachine]

Legalize it, tax it, and regulate it the same way we do with alcohol. Marijuana is harmless and less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco.

[Mikeeee]

The Rhode Island legislature needs to send a letter to dea explaining that if any dea agents interfere with this store or others as they're opened. Their agents will be arrested, charged with false arrest, interfering in a state agency and held without bail.

[DamaskinosLives]

.

How nice that the legislature almost unanimously overrode the poor misguided governor.
.

[Vandy Vo]

well, at least ppl are happy about it

[paganmist]

I can't believe I'm alive during these times. They were the worst of times, they were the best of times?

The world is changing so fast, and I'm alive to see it.

[Bitsko]

The New England mob is gonna love this.

[zizyphus]

You have no idea what is going on.

[novatom]

Can't wait to see what Family Guy does with this!

[Z-Liberator]

Puffff, I am out see you later!

[CigarGod]

Now, if was legal to grow my great grandmothers poppy seeds.....

[senorlou]

Give it time. People should be allowed to grow whatever they want. Eventually we'll be able to.

[Z-Liberator]

Not your time yet, let us win our battle in the end we will make sure all Americans become winners!

[danusgram]

no heroin as alcohol kills take yourself to rehab!

[zizyphus]

Just plant them.

[kindGSL]

I saw a whole yard full of poppies the other day, they were mixed with the completely different California variety. It was very pretty, I have to admit, I love those big, bright red flowers. They put the little yellow flowers in second place.

I doubt you will get in trouble growing them unless you start collecting opium. It would be kind of obvious if you were doing that.

[Z-Liberator]

Weed helps me too, I have no known problems and have a job, non the less it helps me everytime I go home!

Maybe not today I ran out.