http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/lo...compassion_center_bill_20090609_nek

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A bill that would allow nonprofit stores in Rhode Island to sell marijuana to medical patients is headed to the governor's desk. The state Senate passed the bill Tuesday afternoon by a 30-2 margin.

The bill has already passed the House and now heads to Governor Donald Carcieri for approval. The governor vetoed similar legislation last year.

If it becomes law, the bill would allow so-called compassion centers to sell marijuana to registered patients with debilitating illnesses. Right now, 680 patients are registered with the Department of Health's medical marijuana program.

State lawmakers approved the use of medical marijuana in 2006, however they never legalized the sale of the drug. Under the current bill, Rhode Island would be the third state in the country and the first on the East Coast to approve marijuana dispensaries for medical patients.

“Sick patients and their caregivers shouldn’t have to risk their safety and deal with criminals to get the relief they need,” said bill sponsor Senator Rhode Perry (D-Dist. 3, Providence). “Rhode Island was compassionate enough a few years ago to recognize the benefit of marijuana for those who are suffering, and I’m proud that we’re now taking the next logical and necessary step and recognizing that patients need a safe, legal means to get it.”

Governor Carcieri has a week to either sign the legislation or veto it. If he does nothing, the bill will automatically become law without his signature. The legislation passed each chamber with significantly more than the three-fifths majority necessary to override a veto.

Recognizing the real geniun is Rhode Island, I heard that Governer Carcieri has passed down his authority to Rich Bova to sign it.

genius*

note to rev: please add "edit" in text mode or buy me some new fingers

I edit in text mode like a nervy tween who can't control his ejaculate.

Rev is holding out on you.

you son of a bitch

nice way to highlight it by the way... with a penis. very creative

Rhode Island is officially the 1st state on the east coast to have both 1.) a medical marijuana dispensary and 2.) somebody who can actually shred more than you or anybody else in the world

hahahahahahahahahahah

^^h^^a^^

NH for fireworks, RI for weed... mass ain't going to have shit for money left.

awesome

Looking forward to buying weed at Ocean State Job Lot.

Muthafucker never returned my call.

Would only carry Mexi-Schwag (obviously).

It could only be Jerrrrrrrrrods!!!

thats where i will by my weed...with my diamonds.

The gov is just gonna veto it you guys. haha.

There's something wrong if he vetoes a bill that was voted 30-2 in favor of yes.
if he doesn't do anything then it automatically happens due to the majority vote.
But, you never know.. RI is the most corrupt state in NE.

srry dood - this is pretty much my phone right now:

http://www.adultswim.com/video/?episodeID=8a2505951b981e52011b9e5f467100bb
http://www.adultswim.com/video/?episodeID=8a2505951b981e52011b9e60727300c3
http://www.adultswim.com/video/?episodeID=8a2505951b981e52011b9e640ca700cf

but I can get texts.

Yup, I'm moving home.

Governer vetoed, but majority won. Congrats to RI.


PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The state of Rhode Island will now allow the creation of compassion centers in order to dispense medical marijuana to chronically ill patients.

On Tuesday, the Rhode Island General Assembly voted to override Governor Donald Carcieri’s veto , allowing the compassion centers.

In 2006, Rhode Island allowed medical patients to possess marijuana, although there was never a legal way for patients to obtain the drug.

“For the more than 600 Rhode Islanders who rely on medical marijuana to help relieve the unimaginable suffering that some diseases cause, or to relieve their nausea enough to take food, this will provide not only relief and safety, but also dignity. Sick people should not be forced to associate with drug dealers and the dark underbelly of society to get the help they need. I’m glad we’re finally recognizing their right to access marijuana safely, legally and without needless shame or fear,” said Representative Thomas Slater a sponsor of the bill.

The Ocean State is the third state in the country to allow the sale of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Right now, 680 patients are registered with the Department of Health's medical marijuana program.

In the US, thirteen states have recognized medical marijuana: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington; although California is currently the only state to utilize "dispensaries" to sell medical cannabis.

There are currently five other US states considering medical marijuana bills in their state legislatures: Illinois, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York. South Dakota also has several petitions in interest of medical marijuana legalization.

woot! 420 get waste

Nicely played, RI Senate.

Good for RI, but it doesn't make sense to me that something is legal on the state level but illegal on a federal level.

The states are supposed to be allowed to govern themselves in as many matters as possible. It was one of the stipulations of this whole US of A business.

That and the federal government doesn't have the balls to take a stance on weed or the gays.

DEA stopped invading so many of these in CA. They're realizing now that the War on Drugs (specifically pot) is failing and they have no control over it anymore. One by one, state by state, we'll see changes. It will all add up and eventually it'll be legalized on the whole.

Obama has said a bunch of times that he was not OK with the feds fucking around in state matter concerning medical weed. Looks like he meant it.

Emphasis on "supposed to".

Yeah no shit, although I am glad they don't always. If the south had it's way there'd be zero abortion clinics, no birth control and lynching parades. Bad enough they can refuse to recognize a same sex couple's marriage.

Pretty soon the whole northeast will be seen as a bunch of queers getting married while smoking dope and being assholes... oh wait

I'm fine with that. I'll take a street full of Queens over the street full of Puerto Ricans I have now. Gay people have nice lawns and good parties.

Fuck yeah, that's the way we like it. Stoned gay assholes.

Gay assholes getting free abortions and birth control.

on nice lawns.

who throw good parties.

Gay people have reformed many an inner city into a livable area.

Then the breeders move in and there goes the neighborhood!