Medical MJ in RI

[cheferson]

WHat do you guys think about this:US RI: Senator Believes There's Support For Medical Use Of Marijuana
by Joe Kernan, (24 Feb 2005)

Warwick Beacon Rhode Island
Rhode Islanders who have a prescription from their doctors may soon be able to possess marijuana for medical use without worrying about the state enforcing current controlled substance laws. Senator Rhoda Perry of Providence introduced the Medical Marijuana Act legislation to the Rhode Island General Assembly last week and said yesterday there is majority support in the House and she expects growing support in the Senate to carry the bill through to the governor1s desk.

Fifty out of the 75 House members have already expressed support for the bill and 18 of the 38 senators have also favored it, she said.

Perry and the Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition ( RIPAC ) said a recent Zogby poll indicated that 69 percent of Rhode Islanders polled said they would favor the measure, which would remove penalties for possession and use of marijuana by people with multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS to relieve either those conditions themselves or the side effects of medications and chemotherapy associated with the treatment of those conditions.

Seriously ill people should not fear arrest for using a doctor recommended medication, said Nathaniel Lepp, the executive director of RIPAC.

With the tremendous amount of support this bill has, both within the General Assembly and in Rhode Island1s medical community, said Lepp, people with limited amounts of marijuana with the approval of their doctor and the Rhode Island Health Department will have nothing to fear from Rhode Island law enforcement agencies.

Lepp said that the Rhode Island Medical Society, the State Nurses Association, AIDS Project Rhode Island, United Nurses and Allied Professionals and the American Association for Family Physicians have already endorsed the bill.

This act would protect patients with debilitating medical conditions, and their physicians and primary caregivers, from arrest and prosecution, criminal and other penalties, and property forfeiture if such patients engage in the medical use of marijuana, according to the Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Act.

The act will allow certified patients or caregivers to possess up to 12 marijuana plants and 2.5 ounces of marijuana.

One thing the bill does not address is how the patient will acquire the marijuana. There is no mechanism in the bill to facilitate that at this point. Even though, according to the bill, 99 percent of marijuana arrests are made on the state and local level, marijuana possession, cultivation and use for any reason is still prohibited by federal law.

"We are encouraging patients to cultivate their own marijuana," said Lepp. "They are pretty much on their own about how they get the seeds."

The General Assembly is in recess this week and the House and Senate bills have not been numbered or sent to committee yet.

Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington have already passed similar laws, and legislators will most likely examine the effect and popularity of those laws before the bills move out of the Assembly, according to advocates, but Perry said she is optimistic that Senate support will be stronger after legislators have a chance to study the bill.

[Nebe]

I hope it happens.. Not for me because pepsi is my drug of choice, but for those who are in pain. sadly, there is so much corruption in this state, there will be alot of drug dealing doctors if this goes through and thats a big "if".. you watch.

[cheferson]

Doctors wont be able to supply only reccomend.

[tattoobob]

I am all for it there is no reason for people to suffer
this is a problem with well people not understanding
that people should live a pain free life till the end

[Nebe]

Originally posted by cheferson
Doctors wont be able to supply only reccomend.

yeah, and they will reccomend for a price, you watch....

I was at a jerry garcia band show in Providence in the late 80's and there was a dentist selling Nitrus out of the trunk of his mercades.. It will happen.

[fishweewee]

why limit it just for medical use?

just legalize it for everyone 21+, what's the big freakin deal?

[reelecstasy]

ahhhh whip hits....and the JGB...

I kinda remember those days- Got Balloon?

[cheferson]

Originally posted by Eben

I was at a jerry garcia band show in Providence in the late 80's and there was a dentist selling Nitrus out of the trunk of his mercades.. It will happen.

WHats would people do with nitrous at a Jerry Garcia band concert?? Theres already doctors in Cali who sell MJ scripts for $$$$. Doctors get money for painkillers and roids now too, aslo vacations for perscribing ritalin,viagra, etc. in mass quanities.

[Navy Chief]

My eye hurts, I think I have gloucoma.
Do you think the Navy will buy that?

[Moose Nuckle]

Originally posted by tattoobob
I am all for it there is no reason for people to suffer
this is a problem with well people not understanding
that people should live a pain free life till the end

I agree with Bob. What ever it takes to help people in pain or help them in general.

Hey Chief, Never happen...................Moose

[MAC]

Legalize it for over 21 and tax it just like cigarettes. I don't use it and haven't in over 20 years. What is the big deal. People say it will lead to using heavier drugs The way I see it alcohol is a drug too and yes some people will abuse both, it is just that alcohol is legal. You can't stop people from drinking alcohol or from smoking pot if they wish. Should we go back to prohibition....not on your life. The government likes the tax money. (both at the federal and state levels) So repeat, what is the big deal?

[RIJIMMY]

I agree w/you MAC. I think the liquor lobby is too strong and it will never happen. Noexcuse though for medical. Chemo is rough stuff and if it helps people, more power to them

[Raven]

there's a reason MJ helps glaucoma....and thats because it reduces pressure on your optic nerve.... which is partly what glaucoma is... (excessive optic nerve pressure)

but with tobacco " legal.".... being the second biggest killer of Americans ....cancer being the first leading cause of death in Americans..... and chemotherapy being one of the treatments for cancer....

and MJ serving as a remedy to reduce the associated puking (sickness)afterwards....

its a huge injustice and tyranny againt the freedom for Americans
to have MJ Illegal.... and tobacco LEGAL. that's insane.

it's definately time to move forward.

californians have grow -ops and are allowed to grow by the state.... (as long as the end product doesnt crosss state lines)
and at the last possible minute they are raided by DEA when they
are allowed to cultivate it by LAW.... more insanity.....

[Navy Chief]

It also increases the urge to go to 7-11 and buy Doritos.