Pubdate: Wed, 29 Jun 2005
Source: Star-News (NC)
Copyright: 2005 Wilmington Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.wilmingtonstar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/500
Author: New York Times
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA? RHODE ISLAND SAYS YES

The Rhode Island legislature passed a bill yesterday allowing the use 
of medical marijuana, three weeks after the Supreme Court ruled that 
federal authorities could prosecute those who use the drug for 
medicinal purposes, even in states with laws allowing it.

The bill passed the State Senate by a vote of 33 to 1 last evening 
and will head to the desk of Gov. Donald L. Carcieri, who is likely 
to reject it. Supporters of the bill, which passed the House 52 to 10 
last week, are confident they have the necessary three-fifths 
majority to override a veto and make Rhode Island the 11th state to 
authorize patients to use the drug.

The law would allow those with a "debilitating medical condition," 
including cancer, glaucoma and AIDS, to receive a signed statement 
from their doctor stating they would benefit from marijuana. Patients 
and their caregivers would be entered into a registry kept by the 
State Department of Health.

Patients, who must be Rhode Islanders, would receive a state 
registration card allowing them or their caregivers to grow up to 12 
marijuana plants indoors or possess up to 2.5 ounces without being 
arrested. Doctors would be able to prescribe the drug for only five 
patients at a time.
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