RI Medical marijuana centers legalized

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The state of Rhode Island will now allow the creation of compassion centers in order to dispense medical marijuana to chronically ill patients.

On Tuesday, the Rhode Island General Assembly voted to override Governor Donald Carcieri’s veto, allowing the compassion centers.

In 2006, Rhode Island allowed medical patients to possess marijuana, although there was never a legal way for patients to obtain the drug.

“For the more than 600 Rhode Islanders who rely on medical marijuana to help relieve the unimaginable suffering that some diseases cause, or to relieve their nausea enough to take food, this will provide not only relief and safety, but also dignity. Sick people should not be forced to associate with drug dealers and the dark underbelly of society to get the help they need. I’m glad we’re finally recognizing their right to access marijuana safely, legally and without needless shame or fear,” said Representative Thomas Slater a sponsor of the bill.

The Ocean State is the third state in the country to allow the sale of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Right now, 680 patients are registered with the Department of Health's medical marijuana program.

In the US, thirteen states have recognized medical marijuana: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington; although California is currently the only state to utilize "dispensaries" to sell medical cannabis.

There are currently five other US states considering medical marijuana bills in their state legislatures: Illinois, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York. South Dakota also has several petitions in interest of medical marijuana legalization.

Other Links:

RI Medical Marijuana Program

Marijuana health information

Medical Cannabis

Summary of states where medical marijuana is legal

Medical Marijuana Blog