cannabisnews.com: Blais, Raptakis Explain Medical Marijuana Qualms 





Blais, Raptakis Explain Medical Marijuana Qualms 
Posted by CN Staff on May 25, 2005 at 22:15:30 PT
By Justin Sayles
Source: Kent County Times
Providence, R.I. -- 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.
In an interview Tuesday, Blais said that approving the bill would send the "wrong message." Blais, who owns Pawtuxet Valley Prescription & Surgical Center, said that the legislation gives the impression that the General Assembly is condoning the use of a substance illegal under federal statues -- a substance he said has "no accepted medical value."Also, before he would jump on board with studies showing that medical marijuana can be beneficial, Blais said that he would like to see studies of the long-term side effects that the drug can have on the population as a whole.Marijuana, he said, impairs fertility and is a fat-soluble substance, meaning once you use the drug, your system is never completely clear of its traces.Blais also worries about marijuana's distinction as a "gateway drug" and the perception that the drug could lead people to use more serious illegal substances. Making it OK for older people to possess the drug would mean it may be around children."Kids steal cigarettes from their parents, why wouldn't they steal joints?" Blais said. "What kind of message does that send?"Raptakis' line of reasoning was different. In a separate interview, he said that he "supports the concept" of using marijuana for treatment, but opposed the bill.Rather than allowing Rhode Island residents to posses the substance, the state should work with the federal government to make its medical use legal, Raptakis said. That way, rather than have patients possess the drug on their own, they could receive a doctor's prescription for it, he said.Raptakis also had issues with enforcement of the law, stating that it was impossible to know if the marijuana was staying in the hands of the person it was prescribed to. He also did not like provisions in the bill which exempted registered patients from driving under the influence penalties."I know there's a need and we need to address it, but it needs to be under supervision," Raptakis said.Ten states currently have effective medical marijuana laws protecting patients and their caregivers from arrest and imprisonment, including: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. Source: Kent County Times (RI)Author: Justin SaylesPublished: May 26, 2005Copyright: 2005 Kent County Daily Times Contact: kceditor ricentral.comWebsite: http://www.kentcountytimes.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmMarijuana is Justified as Medicine http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20718.shtmlSenate Committee Passes Medical Marijuana Billhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20708.shtml
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Comment #23 posted by mayan on May 26, 2005 at 17:37:58 PT
Blais = Murderer
How ironic that a pusher of killer pharmaceuticals is bashing a plant that has never killed.It's nice that politicians like Blais are quickly becoming the minority. The folks of Rhode Island should demand that Blais represent them instead of his own interests!
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on May 26, 2005 at 11:55:36 PT
runruff
I am with you on alternative medicine. I take assorted herbs everyday but no drugs. Keep up the good work and have a great learning experience at the seminar.
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Comment #21 posted by runruff on May 26, 2005 at 11:50:35 PT:
Yes,Yes,yes
You here have all pretty much stolen my thunder so to speak.
and I'm smiling. To see so many enlightned folk expressing does my mended ol, heart good.I,m writting from Ogden, Utah where I'm attending a seminar
on the newly FDA approved pain relief device called Intel 5000 by NRG corp. It is an electronic neropathic treatment for pain relief. Look it up on he internet you will be interested in all of it's applications. The drug companies fear this thing. I'm also studying homeopathic medicine. 
60% of all Americans seek alternitive cures to their medical problems. Last year alopathic medicine[AMA] killed
780,000 people.Namaste 
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Comment #20 posted by kaptinemo on May 26, 2005 at 10:59:50 PT:
I have a theory
When some people become elected officials, they are secretly whisked away to a laboratory where they are both lobotomized and castrated. It's the only explanation I have for the continual, mindless repetition of the same hoary old falsities...and the lack of *cojones* that some of these wonks demonstrate in not being willing to challenge those Federally-spewed falsities.
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on May 26, 2005 at 10:27:43 PT
What About Narcotic Pain Medicine?
They never mention the possible side effects from someone taking say Oxycontin and having a small glass of wine and driving as an issue. I wish they would stop picking on Cannabis and realize that many people would qualify as impaired by their standards if they would open their eyes and really see! 
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Comment #18 posted by afterburner on May 26, 2005 at 10:15:58 PT
Blind Them with Science
"Raptakis ... also did not like provisions in the bill which exempted registered patients from driving under the influence penalties."If it's safe for medical cannabis patients to drive, it's safe to *experienced* social or spiritual partakers to drive as well. BTW, many studies show that driving by *experienced* cannabis partakers *is* safe. The "drugged driving" cannabis prohibition is a mistaken extension of realistic drunk driving concerns, led by manipulative law enforcement officers, fearful parents, and the pharmaceutical and alcoholic beverage industries.
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Comment #17 posted by PainWithNoInsurance on May 26, 2005 at 09:11:36 PT
It Can't Be All That Bad
Maybe Blais could add a pot shop to his pharmacy/surgical center. He could stop in there after a hard day of senating and take a few tokes himself. His one stop shop might be the place to get the best pot in town.   Go for it Blais!!!
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Comment #16 posted by Hope on May 26, 2005 at 08:41:49 PT
Children
Seems to me, that if you have a child that's prone to taking things that don't belong to him, that you should work on teaching that child not to take things, before he does become a full blown thief, instead of working on laws to prevent other people from owning things that that child might take.Blias "reasoning"...it's enough to give a person a headache...but then he could sell some more liver killers to treat the headache.
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on May 26, 2005 at 08:32:25 PT
Bad Bad Children
It sure seems like people think that kids are vile worthless creatures in this modern day. Why is that? Maybe because if they think kids are all heathens they can keep making laws that are really against adults but say it is for the sake of the children.I didn't steal from my parents. I thought I would have been struck dead by God if I had. Not really but I just knew it was wrong. Politicians need to stop using kids to control adults in my opinion.
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Comment #14 posted by BGreen on May 26, 2005 at 08:29:36 PT
Blais is profiting along with a group
It's unethical but apparently legal to lie and profiteer off of the pain and suffering of the masses as long as you're not the only one who profits.Slime: the newest ingredient in health care.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on May 26, 2005 at 08:15:12 PT
Apparently, according to the "Response"...
Blais is allowed to vote. It's wrong and should be appealed. He obviously has a potentially large financial interest in whether the law passes or not.Somebody needs to be objecting, big time, to that "Response".Hopefully, though, the other Senators will realize that and not be suckered by his "reasoning".Children are thieves? Really? What kind of message is that to be sending? Where are the Young Republicans when "children" are being sent a message like that?There should be some outraged children and parents over that so called "message".
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Comment #12 posted by Hope on May 26, 2005 at 08:00:38 PT
BGreen comments 5,6,7. Dongenero comment 8.
Any concerned Rhode Island citizens out there? Can something be done concerning the information in BGreen's comments? Has this actually been brought up to the Senate members or committees that have to do with such ethics?Who should be notified and who will notify the people who need to be notified?I totally agree, Dongenero. Blais isn't "reasoning" about the matter. He's doing nothing but throwing "sabots" into the works as fast and furiously and unreasonably as he can.As far as his "message" is concerned, the "message" from him that I'm seeing is clearly, and inappropriately, that children, all of them, are thieves.
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on May 26, 2005 at 07:30:19 PT
The message?
Kids steal?
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Comment #10 posted by dongenero on May 26, 2005 at 07:18:26 PT
Blais
It's hard to be confronted with the idiocy of our politicians this early in the morning.At the risk of "sending the wrong message", I'm getting a cup of coffee.
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Comment #9 posted by dongenero on May 26, 2005 at 07:15:29 PT
Blais' lack of sense
Why wouldn't kids steal Mom and Dad's Valium or Percocet or Darvocet or Hydrocodone or Resterol or Ambien or Oxycontin or Xanax or Paxil or........
What kind of message would thet send????Actually Mr. Blais, the question is, what kind of sense are you making?
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Comment #8 posted by dongenero on May 26, 2005 at 07:09:15 PT
reason?
I object to Blais' comments being referred to as a line of reasoning.
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Comment #7 posted by BGreen on May 26, 2005 at 06:54:52 PT
Blais is in VIOLATION of RI LAW
But since he's trying to preserve the profits of other pharmacies, too, he's able to circumvent the law.Advisory Opinion No. 2004-27Re: The Honorable Leo R. BlaisQUESTION PRESENTEDThe petitioner, a member of the Rhode Island Senate, a state elected position, requests an advisory opinion to determine what limitations are placed on his ability to participate and vote on legislation relating to healthcare and pharmacies, given that he is privately employed as a pharmacist and is the owner of the Pawtuxet Valley Prescription and Surgical Center.RESPONSEIt is the opinion of the Rhode Island Ethics Commission that the petitioner, a member of the Rhode Island Senate, a pharmacist and owner of the Pawtuxet Valley Prescription and Surgical Center, may participate and vote on legislation relating generally to healthcare and pharmacies in instances where neither the petitioner, nor the Center could reasonably expect to derive a direct monetary gain or suffer a direct monetary loss. In instances where such a financial impact is reasonably foreseeable, the petitioner may not participate and vote on legislation relating to healthcare and pharmacies unless a section 7(b) exception applies.The petitioner informs that he is a state senator representing District 24, which includes Coventry, Scituate and Foster. The petitioner represents that he is a pharmacist in his private employment. The petitioner represents that he is the President and owner of the Pawtuxet Valley Prescription and Surgical Center (Center). On its website, the Center is described as “a multi-faceted, vertically integrated medical care, product, prescription and service provider.” The petitioner informs that the Center is comprised of an infusion care division, a durable medical equipment department and a retail pharmacy. Apothecare, a subset of the Center’s retail pharmacy, is a laboratory with compounding facilities capable of developing customized mixtures from all available pharmaceuticals and other chemicals. According to the petitioner, the Center’s clients include individuals, hospitals, nursing homes, hospice facilities, out-patient clinics, group homes and a variety of other medical service providers and institutions. In light of the petitioner’s private profession and business interests, he wants to know to what extent he may participate and vote on legislation relating generally to healthcare and pharmacies.Under the Code of Ethics, no public official shall in any way use his public office or confidential information received through his holding any public office, to obtain financial gain, other than that provided by law, for himself, a family member, any business associate, an employer or any business which he represents. See R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-14-5(d). In addition, a public official may not participate in any matter in which he has an interest, financial or otherwise, which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his duties and employment in the public interest. See R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-14-5(a). A “substantial conflict” is present where a public official, a family member, a business associate, an employer, or any business which the public official represents will derive a direct monetary gain or suffer a direct monetary loss by reason of the official’s activity. See R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-14-7(a). The financial impact described in section 7(a) need not be certain to occur, but only “reasonably foreseeable.” See Commission Regulation 7001. Section 7(b) outlines two exceptions to the substantial conflict rule: (1) where a public official, a family member, a business associate, an employer or any business which the public official represents would accrue a benefit or detriment as a member of a business, profession, occupation or group “to no greater extent than any other similarly situated member” and (2) where such person or business would accrue a benefit or detriment as a member of a “significant and definable” class or subgroup within the business, profession, occupation or group “to no greater extent than any other similarly situated member.”In determining whether a substantial conflict exists, the Commission must consider whether a public official, a family member, a business associate, an employer or any business which the public official represents, would derive a direct monetary gain or suffer a direct monetary loss by reason of the official’s activity. See R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-14-5(a) and 7(a). If no substantial conflict exists, then the public official may participate in the matter at issue. See, e.g., A.O. 2002-5 (opining that the petitioner, a member of the State Senate and a part-time nurse at the Cranston Senior Center, could participate and vote on legislation relating to the City of Cranston’s pension fund since he could not reasonably expect to be financially impacted by the legislation at issue); A.O. 96-71 (opining that the petitioner, a member of the State Senate and a private insurance agent, could participate and vote on legislation regulating the sale of insurance by banks since he could not reasonably expect to be financially impacted by the legislation at issue).If a substantial conflict seems apparent, then the Commission must consider whether either of the two exceptions outlined in Section 7(b) apply. Would the official, his family member, business associate, employer or any business which he represents accrue a benefit or detriment as a member of a business, profession, occupation or group to no greater extent than any other similarly situated member? Under this exception, no substantial conflict exists where an entire industry is impacted equally. See, e.g., A.O. 98-40 (opining that the petitioner, a member of the State House of Representatives and the spouse of a dentist, could participate and vote on legislation relating to the practice of dentistry since the legislation at issue affects all dentists within Rhode Island to the same extent); A.O. 98-14 (opining that the petitioner, a member of the State House of Representatives and owner of a restaurant which serves alcohol, could vote on legislation relating to the legal alcohol limit since the legislation at issue affects all members of the restaurant, bar and hospitality industry to the same extent).Whereas the first exception set forth in section 7(b) is absolute, the second exception is a qualified one and only applies where the proposed subgroup is “significant and definable.” In determining whether a proposed subgroup is sufficiently “significant and definable,” the Commission considers the totality of the circumstances, including, but not limited to: (1) the description of the class or subclass; (2) the size of the class; (3) the function or official action being contemplated by the public official; and (4) the nature and degree of foreseeable impact upon the class and its individual members as a result of the official action. A.O. 2003-57; see, e.g., A.O. 97-75 (opining that an employee subgroup of 85 members within a single division of DEM was not sufficiently “significant and definable”); A.O. 97-65 (opining that an employee subgroup of 45 members of a single school system was not sufficiently “significant and definable”).In the instant matter, the petitioner seeks guidance as to his ability to participate and vote on any and all legislation relating to healthcare and pharmacies that potentially could arise before the Senate. For illustrative purposes, the petitioner attached 18 Senate bills to his request for an advisory opinion. These various bills relate to healthcare, medical insurance, drug pricing and pharmacies. Given the spectrum of services provided by the Center and the numerous classes impacted by the proposed legislation, the Commission cannot issue a blanket statement regarding the effect such bills might have on the Center and/or the petitioner.Before participating in the Senate’s consideration of any legislation relating to healthcare and/or pharmacies, the Commission advises the petitioner to consider whether a substantial conflict exists under sections 5(a) and 7(a) (i.e., whether the petitioner, his family member, business associate, employer or any business which he represents would derive a direct monetary gain or suffer a direct monetary loss by reason of his official activity). If no substantial conflict exists, then the petitioner may participate in the Senate’s consideration of the subject legislation. If a substantial conflict seems likely, the petitioner must then consider whether either of the exceptions enumerated in section 7(b) apply. In order to qualify under the first exception, the legislation at issue must not impact the petitioner and/or the Center to any greater extent than any other such facility, facility owner or pharmacist within the health care industry. In the event the petitioner and/or the Center are deemed members of a subgroup within the health care industry, the respective subgroups must be sufficiently “significant and definable” in order to qualify under the second exception. If neither exception applies, then the petitioner must recuse from participation in the Senate’s consideration of the subject legislation in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-14-6. Notice of recusal must be filed with the Ethics Commission and the Senate.Code Citations:36-14-5(a)
36-14-5(b)
36-14-5(d)
36-14-6
36-14-7(a)
36-14-7(b)Related Advisory Opinions:2003-57
2003-2
2002-5
99-63
98-84
98-59
98-40
98-14
97-21
96-91
96-71
95-71
95-54
GCA 13Keywords:Class ExceptionFinancial InterestPrivate EmploymentBusiness Interest
Advisory Opinion No. 2004-27
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Comment #6 posted by BGreen on May 26, 2005 at 06:43:24 PT
Blais wants a MONOPOLY
This is from the Small Business Administration:Pawtuxet Valley Prescription and Surgical Center,
Coventry, Rhode IslandThe Pawtuxet Valley Prescription and Surgical Center is a one-stop shop providing hightech, full-service pharmaceutical care. The company is an industry leader in technological innovations designed to meet the quality care needs of their patients, and provide traditional retail and institutional pharmacy services, high tech home infusion therapy services, durable medical equipment, oxygen therapy, and custom pharmaceutical compounding services.Leo R. Blais started Pawtuxet Valley Prescription Center 23 years ago, shortly after receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Rhode Island, College of Pharmacy. The company has grown from a small retail pharmacy serving patients in Kent County to a 26,000 square foot complex providing its services on a 24/7 basis, 365 days a year to patients across Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts and portions of Connecticut . The retail pharmacy physically expanded in 1984 and four years later the company began its home infusion services to
residential and institutional care units.By 1994, increased market demands forced Blais to lease an additional 5,000 square feet for a centralized home infusion care unit. This required major capital expansion, the hiring of more nurses, and the construction of a new compounding lab. The company quickly outgrew the available space and leased an offsite facility to handle billing functions and the new durable medical equipment division.With the assistance of a SBA-backed loan from Bank Rhode Island, Blais negotiated financing to purchase the entire 26,000 foot complex in 2001. The company had previously been leasing a portion of the space there. Expansion and renovation of the complex began almost immediately with the creation of a new executive office suite and a revolutionary automated prescription dispensing complex as part of the retail pharmacy.Blais has successfully identified and penetrated various niche markets by providing traditional and innovative pharmacy and medically-related services, pharmacy and infusion care provider.The company's ability to modify and improve the delivery of health care services has been applauded by all facets of the health care industry.The new automated medicine dispensing laboratory will result in significant cost reductions to numerous institutional health care facilities. In an era of drastically rising health care costs, the capital investment by PVPSC for this innovative system is a testament to their commitment to provide affordable quality health care.Custom compounding provides patients with specialized dose forms not available elsewhere. This is an invaluable service to patients of all ages, particularly for pediatric patients, terminally ill patients and elderly patients. Pawtuxet Valley Prescription and Surgical Center also sponsors free immunization and training clinics for both patients and health care professionals to provide them with current medical information and therapy alternatives.By integrating numerous facets of health care services in one location, Blais has created a company which meets almost every pharmaceutical and medical equipment need. What once was a small retail pharmacy is now Rhode Island's only fully integrated pharmacy and infusion care provider.
Pawtuxet Valley Prescription and Surgical Center
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Comment #5 posted by BGreen on May 26, 2005 at 06:32:09 PT
DANGEROUS CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Blais is a transparent LIAR and should be taken out of office.This LYING p.o.s. "pharmacist" KNOWS he fills prescriptions for POISONS that easily fall into the hands of children and he KNOWS that his PROFITS WILL FALL if cannabis is allowed to REPLACE HIS STOCK OF POISON!I WILL NOT BE A PART OF THE MURDEROUS MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT!Kill everybody else but keep your murderous mitts off of my family.The Reverend Bud Green
Pawtuxet Valley Prescription & Surgical Center
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Comment #4 posted by GreenJoy on May 26, 2005 at 06:22:00 PT
Messages To Kids
Mommy and Daddy smoke cigarettes and are dying a slow and putrid death and exposing you to second hand smoke and its OK because nice, big companies make lot's of money.The stores have you surrounded by candy in lots of pretty packages at the checkout so that you will be sure to see it and beg for it. Its OK to get fat and rot your teeth and bump off the walls. You just need a ritalin pill for those side effects and another pill for the side effects of ritalin. Its OK because dentists, doctors, and nice, big companies make lots of money.Your favorite kiddie value whopper burger was made from over a hundred different cows just like the ones we see when we go for drives in the country. Yup, that's right. GMO corn and growth hormones make em big and fat and then they cram them into a truck and take them to the nice, big, stinky stock yards where they slit their throats and hang'em up so the blood will drain out before they grind up the flesh. Its OK if you get hair in funny places when your nine. Its just the growth hormones that the nice, big companies use so they can make even more money.Daddy needs guns so that a few weekends a year he can climb in his huge pickup truck and go get in touch with nature and go blow away ducks, geese, bunny rabbits, squirrels, deer, Feral cats and pretty much anything else that moves. Daddy likes to stay in his truck and use a spotlight so they'll hold real still and he can stay safe and dry. Its not really Bambi. Its an overpopulated deer that needs to be "harvested". Years ago your grandaddy helped blow away all the wolves and coyotes and bobcats so that he could display them on his wall, so the cows would be safe till slaughter for your kiddie value whopper burger. We humans have control over nature. Nature must never get in the way of progress...and money.                  GJ 
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Comment #3 posted by potpal on May 26, 2005 at 06:13:06 PT
Jeez...
Marijuana, he said, impairs...>Blais also worries about marijuana's distinction as a "gateway drug" and the perception that the drug could lead people to use more serious illegal substances. Making it OK for older people to possess the drug would mean it may be around children. Wow just like every single pharmaceutial we like to shove down people's troats. Cannabis as medicine will serve all ages not just 'old people'...old people vote this numb skull out of office.Why does the media keep repeating the lies verbatum and simply state that the prohibitionist rehashed the many dispelled theories that have been used to demonize the cannabis plant for decades...these guys don't have an original idea in their hollow heads.>"Kids steal cigarettes from their parents, why wouldn't they steal joints?" Blais said. "What kind of message does that send?"And cigarettes can kill you...your point is?
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Comment #2 posted by Toker00 on May 26, 2005 at 03:58:33 PT
uh uh. Not a "Message problem".
"Kids steal cigarettes from their parents, why wouldn't they steal joints?" Blais said. "What kind of message does that send?"Parents who leave guns, booze, and cigarettes where their kids can "steal" them are at fault here, not the kids.As far as a gateway drug, see "cigarettes" as mentioned above.Peace. Legalize, then Revolutionize.(medicine)(energy)(nutrition)
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Comment #1 posted by billos on May 26, 2005 at 03:18:20 PT
Why he voted NAY..................................
"Blais, who owns Pawtuxet Valley Prescription & Surgical Center" The Defense rests
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