Lawmakers to vote on medical marijuana

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Chronically ill patients in Rhode Island could legally buy marijuana for pain relief under legislation state House lawmakers are set to vote on this week.

The bill would permit three nonprofit stores to sell marijuana to the roughly 680 patients enrolled in the state’s medical marijuana program. House lawmakers plan to vote on the issue Tuesday afternoon.

While Rhode Island permitted medical patients to possess small amounts of marijuana for pain relief starting in 2006, lawmakers never legalized the drug’s sale. It remains illegal under federal law.

The state Senate approved identical legislation last month.

Gov. Don Carcieri won’t receive the legislation until at least one of the bills has been approved by lawmakers in both chambers.