cannabisnews.com: Bill Would License Dispensaries To Sell Marijuana





Bill Would License Dispensaries To Sell Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on March 04, 2009 at 19:39:40 PT
By Cynthia Needham, Journal State House Bureau 
Source: Providence Journal
Providence, RI -- For Bobby Ebert, the legalization of medical marijuana in Rhode Island didn’t just bring relief, it brought a slew of unwanted anxieties. State law allows the Warwick HIV patient to use the drug to alleviate his chronic pain — but it offers him no place to buy it legally.So Ebert did what many of Rhode Island’s medical marijuana patients do. Frail and in pain, he made his way from his suburban apartment to the streets of Providence in search of a drug dealer. The first time he went, he was robbed.
Ebert’s problem is not unique. Since Rhode Island permanently legalized the use of medical marijuana two years ago for those suffering from chronic and painful illnesses, it has provided no legal access to the drug, leaving most patients no option but to buy it on the street, or enlist a caregiver to grow it for them.Now Rep. Thomas C. Slater and Sen. Rhoda E. Perry, the Providence legislators who sponsored the original marijuana bill, have proposed allowing licensed dispensaries or “compassion centers” which would grow and sell the drug at affordable prices to the 600 patients now enrolled in the state’s program.“Licensing a nonprofit compassion center would solve the problems by allowing a safe, state- regulated place for patients to get their medicine,” Slater said.A similar bill was approved by the Senate last year, only to die in a House committee. The governor later vetoed a compromise plan to study the concept.But a year can make a big difference. Last session, lawmakers cited concerns about a spate of federal raids on dispensaries in California, one of the few other states besides Colorado and New Mexico that legalize sales. Could Rhode Island clinics face similar problems?Last week, however, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder publicly indicated that the Obama administration will no longer tolerate such raids.Joseph McNamara, D-Warwick, chairman of the House Committee on Health Education and Welfare , said that development, along with language in this year’s bill pledging security measures at the centers, have made him view the proposal “much more favorably” than he did last year.“The questions I had have been answered and I’m pleased the federal government has made a commitment not to come in and arrest these very vulnerable individuals,” McNamara said after a hearing on the bill last night.Massachusetts voters in November approved a ballot initiative to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, a move some say shows an increased public tolerance.No one testified in opposition of the House bill last night, and the Health Department said it is not taking a position. (Last year the department opposed it.) But several committee members signaled lingering concerns, questioning the logistics of how the centers would be run and how they would be received in neighborhoods.No vote was taken in that hearing, or in a simultaneous one in a Senate committee. For Bobby Ebert and the dozens of other fragile patients who filled the committee rooms yesterday, the generally positive reaction brought a new sense of relief.“Depending on how my body is feeling, every inch hurts,” said Daniel Rivera, 37, of East Providence, who suffers from fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome. “So trying to get by without this medical marijuana or not being able to find a place to get it is a very scary position to be in.”Complete Title: Bill Would License Dispensaries To Sell Medical MarijuanaSource: Providence Journal, The (RI)Author:  Cynthia Needham, Journal State House Bureau Published: Thursday, March 5, 2009Copyright: 2009 The Providence Journal CompanyContact: letters projo.comWebsite: http://www.projo.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/4NzYIsljCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on March 05, 2009 at 17:57:19 PT
And I am so pleased to hear it!
"Texas Legislature Considers Fine-Only Penalties For MarijuanaNORML is pleased to announce that House Bill 902, an act to reduce the penalties for the possession of up to ounce of marijuana to fine-only offense, is before the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence."The fine is too high, but at least it would mean no cuffs and no "ride".
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Comment #12 posted by josephlacerenza on March 05, 2009 at 11:26:54 PT
paul armentano
I know your organization hears this often, but I really appreciate what your willing to do to see this prohibition come to an end. I've been following the movement since 1996. Yes, I'm still young, but what changes I've seen up to today!!!! I sent my two letters to my reps. here in Montana! To see anything happening in Texas, in my opinion, is huge this is the state that the former Pres. lives in!! What actually would it take for Obama to reschedule cannabis? Is this a realistic next step federally? 
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Comment #11 posted by paul armentano on March 05, 2009 at 11:08:11 PT
More states take action
Please check NORML's capwiz site and legislative blog regularly for the latest updates. And PLEASE write and call your state legislators. More than 2,000 folks have sent letters to their state REps via NORML's Capwiz site THIS WEEK. Way to go!!!http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=12522241New Hampshire Legislature Considers Medical Marijuana Reform 
Ask your representative to support HB 648House Bill 648 will be heard by members of the House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs Committee on Monday, March 9, at 10am in room 205 of the Legislative Office Building.http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=12671561Montana Legislature Considers Decriminalizing Marijuana 
Support HB 541HB 541 will be heard by members of the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, March 10, at 8am in room 137.http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=12823431Texas Legislature Considers Fine-Only Penalties For MarijuanaNORML is pleased to announce that House Bill 902, an act to reduce the penalties for the possession of up to ounce of marijuana to fine-only offense, is before the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence.As introduced, HB 902 seeks to amend minor marijuana possession penalties to a Class C misdemeanor -- punishable by a maximum fine of $500, but no jail time. Under current law, marijuana possession is classified as a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2000 fine.http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=12483221Minnesota Legislature Considers Medical Marijuana Reform 
Support SF 97 and HF 292NORML is pleased to announce that Senate File 97, an act to exempt qualified medical cannabis patients from state arrest and prosecution, has passed the Health, Housing, and Family Security Committee as well as the Senate Committee on Judiciary.
 
House File 292 has been introduced as a companion bill to Senate File 97. HF 292 has successfully passed the Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee by a vote of 9-6.http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=12798171Maine Legislature Considers Expanding Decrim Law 
LD 250 would amend possession up to four ounces of marijuana to a civil violationMembers of the the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee are considering LD 250, which seeks to amend state law so that the possession of up to four ounces of marijuana would be classified as a civil violation.http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/Issues and Legislation
Current Action Alerts
 State Legislative:
	 Alabama - Alabama Legislature Considers Medical Marijuana Reform
	 California - Tax and Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol
	 Connecticut - Connecticut Legislature Considers Medical Marijuana Reform
	 Connecticut - Connecticut Legislature Considers Decriminalizing Marijuana
	 Hawaii - Hawaii Legislature Considers Decriminalizing Marijuana
	 Iowa - Iowa Legislature Considers Medical Marijuana Reform
	 Illinois - Illinois Legislature Considers Medical Marijuana Reform
	 Kentucky - Oppose Zero Tolerance 'Drugged' Driving Bill In Kentucky
	 Maine - Maine Legislature Considers Expanding Decrim Law
	 Minnesota - Minnesota Legislature Considers Medical Marijuana Reform
	 Missouri - Missouri Legislature Considers Medical Marijuana Reform
	 Montana - Montana Legislature Considers Decriminalizing Marijuana
	 Montana - Montana Senate Votes To Expand State's Medical Marijuana Program; Measure Now Moved To The House -- Act Now!
	 New Hampshire - New Hampshire Legislature Considers Medical Marijuana Reform
	 New Hampshire - Oppose Zero Tolerance 'Drugged' Driving Legislation In New Hampshire
	 New Jersey - Senate Approves Medical Marijuana; Make Sure The Assembly Does The Same!
	 Rhode Island - Rhode Island Legislature Considers Licensing Compassion Centers
	 Tennessee - Tennessee Legislature Considers Medical Marijuana Reform
	 Texas - Texas Legislature Considers Fine-Only Penalties For Marijuana
	 Texas - Texas Legislature Considers Medical Marijuana Reform
	 Vermont - Vermont Legislature Considers Decriminalizing Marijuana
	 Washington - Washington Legislature Considers Decriminalizing Marijuana Other:
	 Colorado - Do Not Limit Medical Marijuana Patients' Rights
	 Thank U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder For Pledging To End The DEA's Raids On Medical Marijuana Providers
	 Oregon - Oregon Legislature Debates Employment Rights For Medical Marijuana Patients
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/
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Comment #10 posted by greenmed on March 05, 2009 at 08:52:16 PT
FoM
Thanks, FoM. I agree with you... things are really changing in a big way. The last 'peg-in-the-puzzle' is distribution of medicine to those who need it and who have no practical way of obtaining it otherwise. To see that issue addressed seriously gives me great hope. It is what I've been hoping for.
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on March 05, 2009 at 08:38:56 PT
greenmed
Welcome back and things are really changing. This is what in my opinion we have been hoping for.
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Comment #8 posted by greenmed on March 05, 2009 at 08:36:05 PT
changes
After a couple of months off-line and largely unaware of the recent changes in cannabis policy, I find the current turn of events to be rapid and unexpected. This is so encouraging! Finally it seems medical cannabis is becoming more accepted by the general public and our public servants. Hoo-ray!It is great to be back.
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Comment #7 posted by JSM on March 05, 2009 at 07:08:19 PT
Sea change
It is called a lot of things, but it means that state by state this wall of prohibition is crumbling and the truth is becoming more and more clear with each passing day. Will California go the route of full legalization? If that happens, and it is conceivable, then most other states will eventually follow in one way or another. Money always rules. We live in exciting times and rapid change is upon us. 
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Comment #6 posted by Hope on March 04, 2009 at 22:45:44 PT
Things sure are changing.
The usual thing for years has been... check C-News... be outraged, worried, angry, sad, upset, grieved, disappointed, and/or weep.It's extraordinary to open the news and actually find reason for being happy and grateful at what I read... day after day. I know we still have a long way to go... but the progress lately is remarkable. The powerful Massachusetts decriminalization vote and having the new administration have done wonders already.That Massachusetts vote made a big noise and woke lots of people up, I think.The new found respect the media and more legislators seem to have developed for people in need of medical use cannabis has been very nice to see, too. 
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on March 04, 2009 at 21:01:32 PT
fight_4_freedom 
What is so nice is there isn't much of a reason to be upset these days. Things are changing and I look forward to what might be next. Eric Holder's comment energized many people I think.
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Comment #4 posted by fight_4_freedom on March 04, 2009 at 20:42:22 PT
That's all very good to hear
Things will continue to pick up with all of these bills being introduced and others passing through the legislature.This is a wonderful time to be involved. 
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 04, 2009 at 19:57:58 PT
fight_4_freedom 
They aren't like they were for those couple of days but we still are breaking records. We're way up from just a couple months ago. We are on a roll. We have hope again.
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Comment #2 posted by fight_4_freedom on March 04, 2009 at 19:52:10 PT
It keeps getting better every time I check in
How are the stats FoM? Still breaking records? Or did they drop back off?
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on March 04, 2009 at 19:40:37 PT
More Good News
I'm keeping my fingers crossed but we appear to be on a roll.
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