COVENTRY - An application has been filed to open a medical marijuana dispensary or compassion center in Coventry. Starting March 18 and ending May 17 the Rhode Island Department of Health was accepting applications for the operation of up to three "medical marijuana compassion centers." On May 28, Director of Health David R. Gifford released a notice of public hearing that stated the Rhode Island Department of Health had received 15 completed applications in response to the open application period. The public had the opportunity to be heard on the applications at a June 29 hearing at Capitol Hill in Providence. [continues 936 words]
This certainly is a blue state. Only somewhere so liberal - or progressive, whichever one prefers - as Rhode Island could a legislature buck the political wisdom that traditionally says being soft on drugs is bad in every scenario. There's something very bold about a General Assembly that would put aside decades of scare-mongering propaganda and acknowledge marijuana - - long demonized as a scourge of the youth and unmotivated - might actually have legitimate and supportable uses. So we'll pass along our kudos to the General Assembly for making permanent its legalization of medical marijuana for certain patients suffering pain that can't truly be mitigated in any other way. That the common recreational use of the drug has attached to it such a pervasive stigma as to make even doctors reluctant to acknowledge its medical benefits is simply sad; that legislators could look past the stigma is wholeheartedly encouraging. [continues 313 words]
WEST WARWICK - The group of West Warwick High School students sat around drinking, laughing and talking. The SADD truth is that they were drinking Gatorade, eating cupcakes and enjoying one another's company. The group of about 20 students is trying to get the word out that drugs and alcohol aren't needed for teens to have a good time and they said that is one of many reasons they revived the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) organization. One of the founding members, junior Chelsea Carlson, said the students wanted to revive the group because they needed to get the message out there and they needed someone their fellow students could relate to. [continues 601 words]
Police tell us that, at least so far, the reported discovery of a methamphetamine lab in a Coventry home is an isolated incident. Let's hope so. Authorities have charged a Warwick resident and a Coventry resident in their investigation, in which police said they found a Shady Valley Road home full of ingredients used to make the drugs. We commend the authorities involved for acting quickly, and successfully coordinating efforts among various levels of law enforcement - because if they hadn't, the results could have been disastrous. [continues 246 words]
PROVIDENCE -- Legislation that would make an abortion illegal unless the pregnant woman receives information at least 24 hours beforehand about the risks and possible alternatives passed the Senate 27-9 on Tuesday. West Warwick Sen. Stephen Alves, the bill's sponsor, said the Women's Right to Know Act, "simply provides a woman contemplating an abortion with unbiased, scientific, accurate information about an unborn child's development, the risk of abortion and the alternatives that are available within a 24-hour period to think about that information." [continues 908 words]
PROVIDENCE -- Bills to allow seriously ill patients to use marijuana medically and to take guns away from domestic abusers who are the subject of restraining orders both easily passed the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday. The so-called "Homicide Prevention Act" was voted out of committee unanimously and the medical marijuana bill was sent to the Senate floor on a 9-2 vote. Under the medical marijuana bill, sponsored by Sen. Rhoda Perry, patients with chronic or debilitating diseases like cancer, glaucoma, AIDS and multiple sclerosis and two primary caregivers would be allowed to have 2.5 ounces of useable marijuana or 12 marijuana plants without the risk of arrest or prosecution. The patient must be diagnosed by a licensed physician as having a debilitating medical condition. [continues 575 words]
PROVIDENCE -- Coventry's senatorial delegation has a few misgiving about the proposal to legalize the use of marijuna for medical purposes. Sens. Leo Blais (R-Dist 24) and Leonidas "Lou" Raptakis (D-Dist. 33) cast the sole dissenting votes against a medical marijuana bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee last week. The bill, which would protect patients suffering from diseases such as AIDS and cancer from prosecution, was passed by the committee 7-2. The bill now moves to the full Senate for a vote. [continues 366 words]
