cannabisnews.com: Rhode Island Gov. Vetoes Medical Pot Bill Rhode Island Gov. Vetoes Medical Pot Bill Posted by CN Staff on June 29, 2005 at 19:06:39 PT By Elizabeth Zuckerman, Associated Press Writer Source: Associated Press Providence, R.I. -- Gov. Don Carcieri vetoed a bill Wednesday that would have made Rhode Island the 11th state to allow the medical use of marijuana. Legislators said they believed they have enough votes to override the governor.In his veto message, Carcieri said the bill is flawed and could encourage marijuana abuse. "This bill will increase the availability of marijuana on the streets of our state," he said. The Republican also noted medical marijuana use would remain illegal under federal statues.The bill passed 52-10 in the House and 34-2 in the Senate. An override would require votes from three-fifths of the lawmakers in each body."The governor has shown no compassion for the people who really need it," said Rep. Thomas Slater, the bill's House sponsor.The bill would protect from prosecution seriously ill people who had a doctor's recommendation that marijuana could help them. Slater denied the measure - which would allow licensed patients to have 12 marijuana plants or 2 1/2 ounces - would increase the amount of marijuana available."Marijuana is prevalent in the state and it will always be there," he said.Carcieri's veto came the day after representatives from the Office of National Drug Control Policy visited the governor's policy director.According to both sides, they reiterated that federal law prohibits medical marijuana use, and said marijuana has not been proved to be a safe and effective medication.Jeff Neal, Carcieri's spokesman, said the federal representatives did not explicitly ask for a veto.Bill supporters say while medical marijuana would still be illegal under federal law, most marijuana possession prosecutions happen under state law.Source: Associated Press (Wire)Author: Elizabeth Zuckerman, Associated Press WriterPublished: Wednesday, June 29, 2005Copyright: 2005 The Associated Press Related Articles & Web Site:MMJ Information & Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmMarijuana Bills Go To Gov. Carcieri http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20918.shtmlBeyond The Myth, There's Relief for The Painhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20916.shtml Medical Marijuana? Rhode Island Says Yeshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20914.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #9 posted by mayan on June 30, 2005 at 17:52:01 PT Good Carcieri just exposed himself as a federal, pharmaceutical puppet. Another one bites the dust(Carcieri,that is). [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by The GCW on June 30, 2005 at 13:36:32 PT Veto the veto. It's what's next.Veto the veto.Gov. Don Carcieri is harming Himself; We need to pray for Him to see the truth; like the rest of His culture. 420RIZechariah 8:12, “For there will be peace for the seed:”“And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:18. Revelation 3:20, “if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.”I love Our Father. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Dr Ganj on June 30, 2005 at 09:42:10 PT 3/5 huh? Now let me see. 3/5 is really 6/10ths. And that means 60%. So, is 52-10 & 34-2 more than 60%? In my math class it is. Therefore, this governor is a true Mr. Meanie, and should be vetoed out of office. Seems we now have an 11th state! Great for Rhode Island! [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by OverwhelmSam on June 30, 2005 at 03:05:27 PT We Can Still Win In The Courts Jury NullificationI just say a story about a corperate guy who was bought up on federal charges of fraud. The guy went on local TV talk shows for several months before his trail and represented himself as a man of God who would never do such things before the potential Jury pool. The Jury acquited.What about commercials that instructed potential Jury pools about there right to Jury Nullification in areas where federal marijuana cases are due to be tried? A Jury member has the right to declare someone not guilty even if the evidence clearly shows the defendent violated the law. If a jury member doesn't agree with a law, he can vote not guilty (although he may not be able to say this is the reason he is voting not guilty).I think if people were educated on this point, it would be extremely difficult for the federal government to prosecute cannabis cases, and give rise to civil suits against the government for harassment.Something worth looking into to: http://www.fija.orgOverwhelm Uncle Sam [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by ron on June 29, 2005 at 20:34:37 PT Veto override The bill passed 52-10 in the House and 34-2 in the Senate. An override would require votes from three-fifths of the lawmakers in each body.Sounds to me like they have more than three fifths of the lawmakers in each body. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Patrick on June 29, 2005 at 19:56:59 PT Override the Veto! According to both sides, they reiterated that federal law prohibits medical marijuana use, and said marijuana has not been proved to be a safe and effective medication.And on TV tonight I saw a lawyer advertising for clients who have suffered a heart attack or stroke while taking Vioxx, Celebrex, and some other FDA approved “safe” medicine. Heck even Viagra can now cause blindness all the while this Governor can’t show us one person who has been killed or suffered from severe side effects like the drugs above while using cannabis. But hey, go buy a pack of smokes and a bottle of booze! Generate some state tax revenue and get as messed up as you want too but fire up a joint to prevent chemotherapy nausea and the big bad governor will call Big Bro over to arrest you and seize your property. I would say lynch this political rat but then he went against the people of his state and their elected representatives so he sorta did himself in. Good bye governor. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Taylor121 on June 29, 2005 at 19:48:41 PT The Feds "Carcieri's veto came the day after representatives from the Office of National Drug Control Policy visited the governor's policy director."Right.. a false sense of security. What, 60 arrests on the Federal level for medical marijuana since 1996 and they were mostly clubs, right? 99% of all marijuana related arrests are made on the state level.. false sense of security? Gimmie a break, this governor is a joke. Nothing but a Federal pupet. If I was governor and the Office of National Drug Control Policy wanted to visit, I would not honor them whatsoever. I would listen to what they have to say and tell them to leave and to stop propogating non sense around this nation.I hope the people of Rhode Island have the sense to ditch em.Veto override please.What a ****** joke. You know this would not make me nearly as angry if that part about the ONDCP wasn't in that news article. The same John Walters that said that medical marijuana as a political issue was over had his office members fly to Rhode Island on tax payer dollars to feed him propoganda and ensure the veto. Outrageous.Isn't the governor supposed to serve his state, not a Federal bureaucracy? [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on June 29, 2005 at 19:41:07 PT I Agree Max I don't know how in the world they voted for a Republican in Rhode Island as Governor. The north east are really blue state people. I love that part of the country and when we picked a style of a house we wanted to build years ago it was a Cape Cod. I think I could live up there and be happy. But I'm happy here though. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Max Flowers on June 29, 2005 at 19:22:07 PT What a moron He just commited political suicide. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment