Pubdate: Sat, 30 Mar 2013 Source: Day, The (New London,CT) Copyright: 2013 Associated Press Contact: http://www.theday.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/293 Author: David Klepper, Associated Press Page: B5 RHODE ISLAND GETS NEW POT RULES, MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES Providence- Rhode Island is reducing the penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana and preparing to open its first medical pot dispensaries as states around the nation reassess their stance on the country's most popular illicit drug. A new law decriminalizing the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana will take effect Monday. Instead of the threat of jail time or a $500 fine, those caught with marijuana will receive a $150 civil fine. The offender will have to forfeit the marijuana and appear in traffic court, but the incident won't appear on their criminal records. Meanwhile, state health regulators could soon issue licenses to three dispensaries that will be legally authorized to sell marijuana to those in the state's medical marijuana program. The first of these pot pharmacies could open within weeks. Advocates say the changes reflect changes in public perception of marijuana. A national Gallup poll two years ago showed support for legalization had reached 50 percent, up from 25 percent in the mid-'90s. Fourteen states have rolled back penalties for possession, and last year, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize the drug. A legalization bill has been introduced in Rhode Island's General Assembly but isn't expected to pass this year. Eighteen states and the District of Columbia have medical marijuana laws. "I don't think society sees it as the demon it was seen as previously," said state Rep. John Edwards, D- Tiverton, who sponsored the decriminalization bill last year. He stops short of supporting legalization, however. "In the long term it's probably the right policy. But let's see how this turns out before we jump into that." Critics worry decriminalization could lead to legalization and that changing the law send the wrong message to teens. "Decriminalization says to some people that it's now legal," said Kristen Westmoreland, a physician who works for a substance abuse prevention program in Barrington. "None of us think that people should go to prison for a single marijuana offense. But we need to be careful when we change laws, because it gives the impression that marijuana is OK." Under Rhode Island's new law, minors caught with pot must complete community service and a drug awareness program. Adults cited three times within 18 months face misdemeanor charges. It would remain a crime to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana. As in other states, efforts to relax pot penalties in Rhode Island began with medical marijuana. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom