House Overrides Carcieri's Medical Marijuana Veto |
Posted by CN Staff on January 03, 2006 at 12:45:31 PT By M.L. Johnson, Associated Press Writer Source: Associated Press Providence, R.I. --Rhode Island on Tuesday became the 11th state to legalize medical marijuana and the first since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that patients who use the drug can still be prosecuted under federal law. House lawmakers voted 59-13, with one abstention, to override a veto by Gov. Don Carcieri, allowing people with illnesses such as cancer and AIDS to grow up to 12 marijuana plants or buy 2.5 ounces of marijuana to relieve their symptoms. The law requires them to register with the state and get a photo identification card. Federal law prohibits any use of marijuana, but Maine, Vermont, Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington allow it to be grown and used for medicinal purposes. The U.S. high court ruled on June 6 that people who smoke marijuana because their doctors recommend it can still be prosecuted under federal drug laws. Federal authorities conceded they were unlikely to prosecute many medicinal users, and Rhode Island lawmakers pressed on, passing their medical marijuana bill on June 7. Carcieri vetoed it, and the state Senate voted the next day to override his veto, but the House recessed before following suit. Tuesday's House vote came just before the start of the 2006 session, allowing the law to take effect immediately. Rep. Thomas Slater, D-Providence, and Sen. Rhoda E. Perry, D-Providence, introduced the legislation last year after watching family members suffer from terminal illnesses. Perry's nephew died last January of AIDS. Although marijuana may have relieved his suffering, he never used it because it was illegal, she said. Slater has cancer and several of his family members died from it. He said he doesn't need marijuana now, but it could be part of his treatment in the future. "I'm sure everybody in this room knows at least one person who would have benefited from medical marijuana," he said before the vote. Source: Associated Press (Wire) Related Articles: Here's Hoping Compassion Wins The Vote Reps Face ‘Pot’ Veto R.I. House To Vote on Marijuana Veto Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
Comment #24 posted by FoM on January 03, 2006 at 16:51:47 PT |
What's an old Yankee Freedom lover? [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #23 posted by kaptinemo on January 03, 2006 at 16:51:07 PT:
|
more earthly level: Providence is the State capitol of RI. How's that for synchronicity? I didn't realize until after I posted that that was the case. Wow, what a day! [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #22 posted by Hope on January 03, 2006 at 16:49:09 PT |
still have some spirit! Yahoo! [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #21 posted by kaptinemo on January 03, 2006 at 16:41:38 PT:
|
Actions Stations! Set Condition One throughout the movement! This is no drill, I say again, this is no drill!" Just been over to DEAWAtch; they they say ol' Johnny Pee will be on C-SPAN http://c-span.org/ tomorrow morning at for the Washington Journal program. I don't know what time he'll be on, but the program begins at 0700 hours, EST. This couldn't have come at a better time; were I a religious person, I couldn't be blamed for saying it's the hand of Providence intervening. No doubt ol' Johnny Pee thought when he scheduled this that he'd be able to gloat. Not this time, Johnny-me-lad, not this time. There's lots of people who'd very much like to let you know, in no uncertain terms, exactly what they think of you and your wretched little DrugWar. Here's their chance. [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #20 posted by FoM on January 03, 2006 at 16:34:42 PT |
I never heard of Government Mule before but I'm listening to the song on NORML now. On this download link they have a lot concerts by Government Mule. http://tela.sugarmegs.org/sugaree/ [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #19 posted by Had Enough on January 03, 2006 at 16:22:46 PT |
Yesterday it was political suicide to speak out for it. Tomorrow it will be political suicide to speak against it. Today the Angel of Reason came from Heavens of Green, sprinkled Emerald Sparkles of Pixie Dust, waved a Magic Wand and whispered, “Sam, go away” and poof another wrong was done right. Sam, you were told back in 1968: DON'T STEP ON THE GRASS, SAM From the 1968 release "The Second" Words and music by John Kay Starin' at the boob tube, turnin' on the big knob Tryin' to find some life in the waste land Fin'ly found a program, gonna deal with Mary Jane Ready for a trip into hate land Obnoxious Joe comes on the screen Along with his guest self-righteous Sam And one more guy who doesn't count His hair and clothes are too far out While pushin' back his glasses Sam is sayin' casually "I was elected by the masses" And with that in mind he starts to unwind A vicious attack on the finest of grasses Well it's evil, wicked, mean and nasty (Don't step on the grass, Sam) And it will ruin our fair country (Don't be such an ass, Sam) Well, it will hook your Sue and Johnny (You're so full of bull, Sam) All will pay that disagree with me (Please give up you already lost the fight, alright) Misinformation Sam and Joe Are feeding to the nation But the one who didn't count counted them out By exposing all their false quotations Faced by a very awkward situation This is all he'd say to save the day Well it's evil, wicked, mean and nasty (Don't step on the grass, Sam) And it will ruin our fair country (Don't be such an ass, Sam) Well, it will hook your Sue and Johnny (You're so full of bull, Sam) All will pay that disagree with me (Please give up you already lost the fight alright) You waste my coin Sam, all you can To jail my fellow man For smoking all the noble weed You need much more than him You've been telling lies so long Some believe they're true So they close their eyes to things You have no right to do Just as soon as you are gone Hope will start to climb Please don't stay around too long You're wasting precious time Repeat Chorus To the right side of this link is the NORML Music player. http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5481 Select Govt Mule [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #18 posted by OverwhelmSam on January 03, 2006 at 15:30:13 PT |
It's a race to be the twelveth state to legalize medical marijuana. Nobody wants to be thirteenth! Get going states. [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #17 posted by Max Flowers on January 03, 2006 at 15:29:54 PT |
This is great news and I think it will be psychologically important for other east coast states. When they see that li'l ol' Rhode Island did it, they will want to do it too. Pretty soon we'll have 26 states and it will be all over. To the governor: how does that crow taste? [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #16 posted by FoM on January 03, 2006 at 15:24:27 PT |
I think of the east coast as the brains and I think of the west coast as the heart. The south is the religious part of the states and the north east is the live and let live part of the states. All of us in the middle just seem to wait until something happens in one of the important areas of the USA. Maybe we can pull it all together one of these days. [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #15 posted by The GCW on January 03, 2006 at 14:26:16 PT |
Jan. 3rd, 2006. A good way to start the New Year. Perhaps, Gov. Don Carcieri will witness cannabis healing and turn Him around. ...And thank Our Heavenly Father (the Ecologician) for that gift, instead of treating the table of the Lord as though it is defiled. Put it in "override" and keep 'er steady. The Green Collar Worker [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #14 posted by billos on January 03, 2006 at 14:23:31 PT |
MEDICAL CANNABIS MYTH ! ! ! DOH ! ! ! -J.Walters [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #13 posted by MikeC on January 03, 2006 at 14:13:51 PT |
Days like today give me hope. I hope my state of Wisconsin can follow suit. Nearly 25% of the country now allows Medical Marijuana. It's a great day. Congratulations everyone! [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #12 posted by Sam Adams on January 03, 2006 at 14:07:28 PT |
Here's another AP version, with some nice sore-loser bleatings from ONDCP: [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #11 posted by FoM on January 03, 2006 at 13:55:00 PT |
Here drink a cup of my virtual chicken soup and you'll feel better. Seriously get well soon. [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #10 posted by Taylor121 on January 03, 2006 at 13:50:28 PT |
Good thing to wake up to. Hope this cold goes away now. :) [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #9 posted by FoM on January 03, 2006 at 13:37:47 PT |
As James Brown would sing. I Feel Good Just Like I Knew I Would! [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #8 posted by cloud7 on January 03, 2006 at 13:35:35 PT |
"House lawmakers voted 59-13" Good numbers too. The governor should lose his job. Look at the numbers against him. Around 5 to 1. RI voters should see that he is not a representative of them. [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #7 posted by dongenero on January 03, 2006 at 13:35:13 PT |
to everyone who is working for this cause! A resounding victory! I hope this represents a gaining momentum of sensibility that will continue to accelerate. In the meantime, it is a good afternoon to relish this success and pat everyone on the back. It just makes you smile doesn't it? It feels good. [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #6 posted by FoM on January 03, 2006 at 13:31:23 PT |
East coast go go go go! [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #5 posted by kaptinemo on January 03, 2006 at 13:26:17 PT:
|
The importance of THAT cannot be over-emphasized; the closer to Washington DC, the more of a mindset of (said with wide-eyed disingenuousness) "Well, gee, we can't go against the Federal Gub'mint!" demonstrated by State pols and Governors. Another Eastern State has told Uncle to mind his own business, and lay off its' sick people. I expect more Eastern States to follow suit with laws of their own modelled on RI's Hopefully there will also be a proscriction against local police assisting the Feds in harassing the sick. That would be even better, making it clear the States know the jig is up, and the Feds must do their dirty work alone. Congratulations to all those hard-working reformers in RI! You done *great*, people! [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #4 posted by FoM on January 03, 2006 at 13:16:00 PT |
I just had to say they are starting to recognize that medicinal cannabis must be grown. No plants no medicine. I hope they keep connecting the dots. [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #3 posted by FoM on January 03, 2006 at 13:01:22 PT |
This also is an AP Article but I just love the title! http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/living/health/13541003.htm [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #2 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on January 03, 2006 at 12:56:05 PT |
America is more free today than it was yesterday. Let each and all choose his or her own path in and all of society will prosper. [ Post Comment ] |
Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 03, 2006 at 12:46:17 PT |
I want to thank everyone that voted for compassion. [ Post Comment ] |
Post Comment | |