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

[Coinyer101]

but, the feds are still raiding those places in states other than Cal. I wouldn't set up shop ,until I had a promise from the DOJ that they won't be raided by dea.

[senorlou]

Yeah, Tommy. That stint you did in the slammer, that was cold. The Medical MJ industry in California was originally for true believers, cowboys (and girls), and a few professional minded people. I have seen the industry grow into some very high quality, professional co-ops that truly help their patients, whatever reason they're there for. The time to set up would be the beginning. You'll have some hair ball moments, but I don't think it'll be like it was in CA in what I call the pre - Obama era. He has set us all free. He's from Hawaii, kind of.

[Z-Liberator]

Some of us may not make it in the beginning in the end we will all be exonarrated!

This is the war against anfair drug policies, The War on American Citizens and the war on our personal freedoms some will not make it for those of us that will gain the rights in the end!

[Z-Liberator]

too excited to spell properly!

[fumes]

say coinyer101..

gotta love that ''marijuana rehab'' ad to your right..

he just got done telling his kids he's out of pot!

[cultkicker]

Medical marijuana has taken 50% of my neuropathic pain away from a damaged lingual nerve due to a dental injection for anesthetic. B E W A R E of dentists and don't let them use articaine on you! Best to not get any anesthetic if possible... just grin and bear it. This pain is horrific... I'm two years into this nightmare. Weed has been the only thing that is helping and I'm thrilled.

[senorlou]

Glad to hear it's helping you. Helps me too - anxiety, insomnia, depression. Got me off of those dangerous anti-anxiety pills. Great for sleep. For some of us, it really is like a miracle. Apparently, those who don't get that same benefit feel the need to prevent us from using it at all. Weird stuff.

[kindGSL]

So why do you think the APA is against it?

[CitizenIndie]

As a natural medicine, I am really glad to hear it is helping you. Its about time that the drug companies took a "hit" as well. :)

Keeping Americans sick for profit and dependant on artificially lab-produced pills just doesn't cut it.

[Ryoki]

Let's all take a big bong hit in...what state was it? Rhode Island?
Let's all take a small bong hit in celebration of Rhode Island's good people and wise leaders!
Great news.

[Z-Liberator]

I cant I ran out!

[zachizzle]

That was pretty funny

[Hank007]

I once took a hit out of a bong the size of Rhode Island.

[BBC9nch]

With all of the municipalities that are going bankrupt you would think that they would have jumped on this cash crop a long time ago. If it becomes legal in Florida I will be one of the first in line to get a license to sell it. Plus we have more retirees than any other state, demand will be HUGE!!!

[cultkicker]

Jesse Stoup.... make marijuana oil and take that for your cancer. It can actually C U R E many types of cancers! Go to PhoenixTears.com for more info. Good luck!

[kindGSL]

So wouldn't it be sick if the health care providers don't want us to have access to pot BECAUSE it cures or prevents cancer?

We have to wonder why it is illegal. It seems people in the mental health profession have been putting profits over people.

Gee, would they actually do that?

[RIPRNC]

...drip.....drip.....drip....

[Z-Liberator]

Anybody know when Arizona gets to vote that is my hometown?

[BigBagel]

A state is your home town?

[Z-Liberator]

Home state, I am currently in Mexico for a couple of months and the weed is terrible most of time!

[fumes]

no stems no seeds that you don't need..

rhode island gold is one badass weed!

[Z-Liberator]

Ooooh yah Rhode Island Gold, Sounds good!

[cjk002]

Perfect avatar for this story.

;0)

[revhatchell]

freedom is glacial but on the move.

[provgrays]

As a Rhode Islander, this is the rare piece of good news in a state that has perfected the art of corruption. The state debt will be 600 million dollars next year. The towns and cities don't have basic funds with which operate. Unemployment is 11.1 percent and climbing. Our roads are the third worst in the entire country.

The North Providence mayor stole stimulus money earmarked for the town's schools to meet payroll this week. Our governor is a powerless Republican in a died in the wool Democratic state. He has little actual power with only token opposition in the General Assembly.

As bad as life is here, at least compassion for patients who get relief from medical marijuana is a small victory. Those are rare enough around here.

[bloodyhands]

I had a point.

[senorlou]

I had a line.

[senorlou]

I had an angle.

[Torrentlover]

I had a snack.

[incredulousnyc]

And then you got high?

[scottarino]

....b..

[senorlou]

Two more things.
1. Beautiful photo of that plant!
2. Did any of you catch that "marijuana rehab" ad pop up? Still scaring people with that bull. It is non addictive, folks. Statistically, far less addictive than caffeine. Did you need rehab to quit drinking coffee?

[Sarah Katherine]

We could really use your help in the comments here:
http://brainblogger.com/2009/06/15/marijuana-withdrawal-syndrome/

[senorlou]

Garbage. How do I know? I've smoked on and off since 1985. Once I went without for 11 years. I've gone from smoking it every day for years to stopping on a dime. Nothing happened. Zip. Nada.
I had a much harder time giving up my pint of Ben and Jerry's 3 times a week. Much, much harder.
Why would I lie to you? What gain would I have? You can believe somebody who's actually been through this phony "withdrawal" you're talking about, I can tell you that the site is meant to scare the pants off the uninformed and uneducated. Give me a minute, I'll post you some data. Please hold...

[senorlou]

Yeah, you really could. I checked out that site. Fear and misinformation. Now try this table here - so easy to read.

http://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/addiction/addiction_journal1.shtml

Look at caffeine and look at marijuana. Need more tables? Hang on.

[senorlou]

I read it. Fearful and not true. Here's a ranking - table is at the end of the report. Just scroll down to it.

http://www.drugsense.org/tfy/addictvn.htm

[PlaceboStudman]

Way to go Rhode Islanders!!

Is anyone else struck by the fact that this veto was a unanimous 68-0 decision?

[cjk002]

Whoa.

This is our generation's prohibition fight. The tide has turned.

[kindGSL]

That's what happens when it gets personal.

One of the people involved has a serious medical need so they could all suddenly relate to the issue as it entered their lives personally. That flips the vote.

I wish the TV or newspapers would do stories on how great a medicine pot is for sick people. They really ignore that aspect. If people could see what I have seen, they would have no doubts about pot.

We are victims of bad press on this issue, I think it is a business/religious perspective.

[senorlou]

Coast to coast, people. We're going coast to coast. No stopping it now. Finally, a safe, legal drug.

[fumes]

fingers crossed!

[insideoutgraphics]

Makes me want to move back to my home state, R.I.., because I obviously made a huge error in deciding to move to Florida.

[ChristopherAtom]

lol

[senorlou]

Come to sunny California. Sure, we're broke, but you'll love us anyway.

[bloodyhands]

L.A. is like the bottom of a bowl.

All the nuts roll right in.

[sonoffestus]

Yeah, why did you pick FL such a foul & terrrible place. I left RI for BC , Canada. It's the best move I've made in my 56 years. Great bud here as well.

[insideoutgraphics]

I'm still suffering culture shock after moving here to Fl., which is probably a good thing, meaning I've at least retained my Northern mind set. OK I have no social live but that's a good thing . But I am embarrassed to say I live in the State that is responsible for GWB years. Florida, the State that keeps on giving globally.

However, it is a State that is great for growing med mj and it would make perfect sense to add another cash crop , besides citrus. Fl is so tourism dependent for its revenue , and it's tanked out right about now, one would think that they would be looking for a way to increase their revenue. I guess they're too busy trying to pass noise reduction laws and making sure that people's lawns are the correct height. Fl.'s priorities .....make it pretty and they will come. Which is why they cater to the wealthy in my town. It's a shallow postcard town. Which is why, for my next vacation, I'm going to Rhode Island.
Providence , Here I come!