cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Bill Goes Up For Debate On Smith Hill





Marijuana Bill Goes Up For Debate On Smith Hill
Posted by CN Staff on May 18, 2005 at 16:38:16 PT
By The Associated Press
Source: Associated Press 
Providence, Rhode Island -- Patients suffering from debilitating medical conditions would be able to grow and use marijuana without risking arrest under a bill being debated before a legislative committee on Wednesday.The Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Act would shield patients suffering from diseases like cancer and AIDS from being prosecuted for smoking marijuana. Their doctors and caregivers would also be protected.
The bill, filed in both legislative chambers, is due for public debate Wednesday before the House Committee on Health, Education & Welfare. The Senate Committee on Judiciary is scheduled to consider the same bill Thursday afternoon.Ten states already have laws permitting the medical use and cultivation of marijuana, according to the text of the bill."This is not a liberal bill," said Sen. Rhoda E. Perry, sponsor of the Senate bill. "It's a medical bill. It's a bill that has to do with compassion and it's modeled after those bills that have been successful in both Colorado and Oregon."Patients qualified to use marijuana for treatment would be issued special identification cards with their name, address and date of birth, as well as the name of their primary caregiver. The patients would then be allowed to possess up to 12 marijuana plants and 2½ ounces of usable marijuana without facing arrest.According to statistics from the federal government, 99 percent of marijuana arrests are made under state law rather than federal law."Consequently, changing state law will have the practical effect of protecting from arrest the vast majority of seriously ill people who have a medical need to use marijuana," the bill states.Perry said she had a nephew who recently died of AIDS and "had extraordinary difficult times with pain management, with nausea, with wasting, etc.""In my own way, I'm dedicating the passage of this bill to him," she said.The Providence Democrat said the measure had the support of the American Medical Association and other industry groups.Nathaniel Lepp, executive director of the Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition, said doctors have used marijuana successfully to treat the symptoms of cancer and other diseases."It is an unfair policy to threaten medical professionals and sick people with arrest for using medication," Lepp said. Note: Measure Would Eliminate Arrest Risk For Certain PatientsSource: Associated Press (Wire)Published: May 18, 2005Copyright: 2005 The Associated Press Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htm Senator Huffs and Puffs Over Marijuana Bill http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20497.shtmlDon't Treat Patients Using Marijuana as Criminalshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20485.shtmlLawmakers Rally Behind Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20468.shtml
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on May 19, 2005 at 07:53:46 PT
afterburner
Thank you! I know now I need new glasses! LOL!
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Comment #4 posted by afterburner on May 19, 2005 at 07:50:30 PT
mayan and FoM
I think the yes was originally 88%, not 98%. Otherwise, it adds up to 110%.Current results:pick vote pct.Yes 407 91%No 30 7%Und. 11 2%At least hardly anyone is still on the fence.
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Comment #3 posted by mayan on May 18, 2005 at 18:18:23 PT
Thanks, FoM
Thanks for the poll FoM! The "Yes" vote is down to 89% - still not bad! Let's hope the Rhode Island legislature represents the people. If they don't their political careers will be short-lived!related article...House committee hears testimony on medical marijuana bill:
http://cbs4boston.com/rinews/RI--MedicalMarijuana-gn/resources_news_htmlunrelated...SF Supes Approve Six-Month Extension On New Pot Club Ban: 
http://www.ktvu.com/news/4501076/detail.htmlSkunk cannabis may be reclassified (UK): 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianpolitics/story/0,3605,1487122,00.htmlTHE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Help Spread Dr. Griffin's Logical Demolition of the 9/11 Commission Report to Churches and Indie Media:
http://www.911truth.org/View Professor David Ray Griffin's Historic 9/11 Lecture:
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8765.htm9/11 Was an Inside Job - A Call to All True Patriots:
http://www.911sharethetruth.com/
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 18, 2005 at 17:47:08 PT
DPFCA: New ONDCP Report on MJ Prisoners 
  
Dr. Barthwell's former colleagues at ONDCP have released a new report on marijuana offenders in prison. The news release is below. A copy of their report in PDF is available from: 
http://www.csdp.org/research/whos_in_prison_for_marij.pdf
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on May 18, 2005 at 16:41:14 PT
Medical Marijuana Poll
Should Rhode Island pass a law legalizing the use of marijuana for certain medical conditions?Current Results:Yes -- 98%No -- 8%I'm not sure -- 4%Please Vote: http://www.turnto10.com/politics/4504453/detail.html
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