Lawmakers poised to approve marijuana

The state Senate could soon approve legislation permitting nonprofit stores in Rhode Island to sell marijuana to medical patients.

House lawmakers signed off on a final version of the bill Wednesday, sending it back to a Senate committee which has set a vote for Tuesday. If the legislation is ultimately approved by the full Senate, the bill would then go to Gov. Don Carcieri ’s desk.

Carcieri has vetoed bids to expand the state’s medical marijuana program in the past.

The new legislation would allow up to three stores to sell marijuana to more than 680 patients registered with the state Department of Health.

Rhode Island permitted medical patients to possess marijuana for pain relief in 2006, but never legalized the sale of the drug.