cannabisnews.com: Legislators OK Medical Use of Marijuana 





Legislators OK Medical Use of Marijuana 
Posted by CN Staff on January 04, 2006 at 15:55:49 PT
By Joe Baker, Daily News Staff 
Source: Newport Daily News
Providence, R.I. -- For about half his life, Warren Dolbashian has been a criminal.The 34-year-old Cranston man has been smoking marijuana since he was 17 to combat symptoms of Tourette's syndrome. Pot greatly eased the violent tics associated with this neuropsychiatric disorder. Dolbashian found it worked better than the pharmaceuticals prescribed by his doctors.
"Something must be working because I'm standing here and there are no tics," a smiling Dolbashian said Tuesday standing in a Statehouse hearing room.Dolbashian was happy because on Tuesday Rhode Island became the 11th state in the nation to legalize the use of marijuana by patients with debilitating diseases. Earlier that afternoon, the General Assembly overrode Gov. Donald L. Carcieri's veto of the medical-marijuana legislation."It'll be a big weight off my back when I can have that relief without worrying about the door being busted down (by police)," Dolbashian said.The Senate overrode Carcieri's veto of the Senate version of the bill before the General Assembly recessed for the year last July, but the House did not. On Tuesday, House leaders took up the override before officially adjourning the 2005 session. The 59-13 vote easily surpassed the 60 percent majority needed to override the veto. Both the House and Senate voted to override the veto of the House version Tuesday.That vote made Rhode Island the first state to enact a medical marijuana statute since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last July that federal law prohibiting marijuana use trumped state laws allowing the medical use of the drug."The states should lead the way and not follow the federal government," House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox, D-Providence, said.Carcieri spokesman Jeff Neal issued a statement reiterating the governor's opposition to the legislation, saying it had "serious flaws." One problem is that since the law does not provide patients with any legal way to buy marijuana, they would have to find dealers, who would not be protected by the law. Definitions of who would qualify for using medical marijuana were too broad, the governor said, and federal law could still prosecute users.But proponents hailed the override, insisting it simply was a show of compassion for people in desperate straits."There have been very, very few problems in any of the other 10 states (with similar laws)," said Senate sponsor Sen. Rhoda E. Perry, D-Providence. "This will demonstrate that this is sage, compassionate and well-planned legislation. It's going to help so many people.""Those medical marijuana laws are working well," said Rep. Thomas C. Slater, D-Providence, who sponsored the House bill. "The sky has not fallen and thousands of patients are living with less pain."The bill passed despite what proponents called a last-ditch effort by dissident Democrats and some House Republicans to work up support for the governor's veto. State Rep. Bruce J. Long, R-Middletown, said he received pressure from the governor's office and House Republican leaders, but decided to support the bill."I certainly think it's right for state government to say to federal government, 'We don't like your law,'" Long said. "This was a really important issue to a small population of Rhode Islanders. I voted my heart."State Reps. Joseph N. Amaral and John J. Loughlin II, both R-Tiverton, said they supported the governor in part because there was no way to regulate the quality of the marijuana patients would get from street dealers.The state Department of Health now must develop regulations to implement the law within 90 days. Doctors can then recommend that their patients be allowed to use marijuana. Patients would apply for an identification card protecting them from prosecution for possessing up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana. Patients also could grow up to 12 marijuana plants at home for their own use. Patients also can have up to two caregivers, who would be able to legally help them procure marijuana.HOW THEY VOTEDLocal House representatives supporting the override were: Paul W. Crowley, D-Newport; Bruce J. Long, R-Middletown; J. Russell Jackson, D-Newport; Amy G. Rice, D-Portsmouth; and Raymond E. Gallison Jr., D-Bristol.Reps. John J. Loughlin II and Joseph N. Amaral, both R-Tiverton, voted to support Gov. Donald L. Carcieri's veto.All four Newport County senators - Teresa Paiva Weed, D-Newport, June N. Gibbs, R-Middletown, Charles J. Levesque, D-Portsmouth, and Walter S. Felag, D-Warren - voted to override the governor's veto. Source: Newport Daily News, The (RI)Author: Joe Baker, Daily News Staff Published: Wednesday, January 04, 2006Copyright: 2006 Newport Daily NewsContact: Editor NewportRI.comWebsite: http://www.newportdailynews.com/Related Articles:Rhode Island Becomes 11th State to Legalize http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21442.shtmlPot Veto Not Enough http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21441.shtmlSupporters of Marijuana Bill Concede Problemshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21439.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #12 posted by mayan on January 05, 2006 at 04:59:48 PT
Calvina's Interests
We must expose Calvina's motives with LTE's the next time she rears her ugly head to oppose an initiative or legislation. I'm sure we haven't seen the last of her. I posted the following on a previous thread...It seems that Calvina Faye was (in 1989 - but I don't know about now) the president and owner of Forward Edge Inc. which is a drug-testing services company. I figured she had some motive for spewing such obvious lies. Forward Edge is based in Houston so I imagine she's a always been a huge Bush supporter. I wonder how much money she and her ilk give to that loser.She is also a member of DATIA (Drug & Alcohol Tesing Industry Association).What a corporate whore.Forward Edge Inc. http://www.forwardedgeinc.com/DATIA: http://www.datia.org/news/newsmainpage.htm
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by jimmyk on January 04, 2006 at 23:13:10 PT
Drug Free America
 Your opinion counts
/www.dfaf.org/index.php
Go ahead and vote 
http://www.dfaf.org/index.php
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by OverwhelmSam on January 04, 2006 at 19:49:46 PT
Consider The Source, Hope
She's paid big bucks by corporations that have an interest in keepng marijuana illegal. Too bad that all the money in the world will not stop the marijuana's leglaization.I've considered that the main reason that the US wants to keep marijuana illegal is to get along with the International community. But after the Iraq war, I realized that the US doesn't care what the International community thinks, or even it's own citizens. This will be their undoing. Americans should understand what's going on before the US government is completely disolved in favor of the establishment of a new government. It's all right there in the Declaration of Independence.I personally recommend we push to elect all new representatives in Congress and the Administration to effectively achieve a new government. It's just that people don't know that they shouldn't elect the same politicians over and over again.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by Hope on January 04, 2006 at 19:38:07 PT
*smile* Thanks, OverwhelmSam
You're right. Amazing how telling the truth is a "deceptive tactic" to her, though.I'm afraid Calvina may NEED some sort of pharmeceutical to get her through her apparently psychotic episodes and hysterical delusions. Telling the truth is not a "deceptive tactic", Calvina.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by OverwhelmSam on January 04, 2006 at 19:25:40 PT
Hope
I read the article form SOS and all I have to say is that they're going to see a lot more "sad days" ahead. Pay no attention to their spoiled brat whinings. Sour losers always cry "because it's not fair, sniff." LOL
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by Hope on January 04, 2006 at 19:21:47 PT
Ohhhhhhh....
"Save Our Society From Drugs is dedicated to fighting drug use, drug addiction and drug trafficking and to promoting effective, sound drug policies, education and prevention. It is equally committed to exposing and refuting the drug legalization advocates and their deceptive tactics."
 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by OverwhelmSam on January 04, 2006 at 19:21:36 PT
"The states should lead the way..."
I've been saying this all along. When the people and states stand up to the federal government, the administrators and representatives are forced to humble themselves and do their master's bidding.I am beginning to appreciate Bush though. Under his tyranical rule, there have been more reforms than any other president before him. Thanks Bush, keep pushing and we'll gut your precious federal government.Note: They tax the good citezens of this country, and then use our money to coerce the states to put us in jail over their bullshit laws. Ironic isn't it?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by Hope on January 04, 2006 at 19:18:19 PT
Oh my! ....again
Check out the lies!http://www.saveoursociety.org/Press release about the Rhode Island veto override. excerpt: Statistics show that children are seriously impacted in many states that have legalized medical fraud marijuana. The usage rate for marijuana among juveniles in these states has increased drastically from 1999 to 2001. For example, California and Colorado had an increase double the national rate of 3.2%, Hawaii had quadruple the rate and Maine experienced a 54.4 % increase—about a 175 times higher rate. In addition, between 1992 and 2001 there was a 49% increase in adolescent admissions to drug treatment programs. Of these, marijuana admissions rose from 23 to 62%. “Apparently the Rhode Island legislature considers their community immune to this staggering impact,” said Calvina Fay, Executive Director of Save our Society From Drugs
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by Hope on January 04, 2006 at 19:13:03 PT
Oh my...
I feel a little faith restored in some of our leaders. Wonderful people with good sense. I'm so glad and thankful.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by mayan on January 04, 2006 at 18:25:16 PT
LEAD THE WAY
"The states should lead the way and not follow the federal government," House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox, D-Providence, said.Now there's a man with some balls. Big balls! If we follow the federal government we are certainly going to hell!On an unrelated note, here's a great press release from the Green Party...Impeach Bush and Cheney Now!
http://www.gp.org/press/pr_2006_01_03.shtmlTHE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...25 Reasons "White Collar Terrorists" Are To Blame for 9/11, "America's New War," and the Impending World War III:
http://www.tetrahedron.org/articles/apocalypse/25_reasons.htmlApocalypse of Coercion: Why We Listen to What “They” Say About 9/11:
http://mujca.com/apocalypse.htmCurious Coincidences of 2001: Following the 9/11 Money Trail:
http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=779160+ 9/11 'Smoking Guns' Found in the Mainstream Media:
http://thewebfairy.com/killtown/911smokingguns.htmlThe SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 TREASON INDEPENDENT PROSECUTOR ACT:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/736718529?ltl=1135908579
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by Toker00 on January 04, 2006 at 18:03:15 PT
Bitter sweet post.
First of all, I would like to ask God to bless those families in West Virginia. They went through hell. God bless 'em.Local House representatives supporting the override were: Paul W. Crowley, D-Newport; Bruce J. Long, R-Middletown; J. Russell Jackson, D-Newport; Amy G. Rice, D-Portsmouth; and Raymond E. Gallison Jr., D-Bristol.All four Newport County senators - Teresa Paiva Weed, D-Newport, June N. Gibbs, R-Middletown, Charles J. Levesque, D-Portsmouth, and Walter S. Felag, D-Warren - voted to override the governor's veto.I love these people."I certainly think it's right for state government to say to federal government, 'We don't like your law,'" Long said. "This was a really important issue to a small population of Rhode Islanders. I voted my heart."This is so Good. This is so, so Good!Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHIBITION NOW!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 04, 2006 at 17:30:33 PT
Related Article from the Westerly Sun
http://www.thewesterlysun.com/articles/2006/01/04/news/news5.txt
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment