In the latest advancement for marijuana law reformers, the Rhode Island state legislature today legalized medical marijuana stores in the state, overriding Gov. Don Carcieri's (R) veto.
The new law will take effect immediately. Legislators voted in favor of the measure by wide margins on several votes today (vetoes of both House and Senate bills were considered in each chamber): 67-0 and 64-0 in two votes in the House, and 35-3 in both House votes.
Carcieri had vetoed the legislation on Friday.
This marks yet another victory for marijuana reformers in 2009, a year
that has seen major advancements toward the inclusion of marijuana
reform in the mainstream political lexicon. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger suggested a public debate on marijuana legalization in May, after the state's budget crisis and the Mexican drug war added some rationales to reform efforts. A Field poll showed 56 percent of Californians in support of outright legalization.
President Obama, who had pledged to back off federal raids on medical marijuana users and sellers, took office, and with him new drug czar Gil Kerlikowske,
who doesn't support legalization but oversaw the implementation of a
decriminalization program as Seattle's chief of police. The new
administration is viewed in the marijuana reform community as much
easier to work with than the previous one, and as having a
friendlier approach to reformers' goals.
Rhode Island's action "is of actual significance because it is the
first state to take an existing medical marijuana law and add state
licensed dispensaries to it," Mariuana Policy Project Communications
Director Bruce Mirken said.
"This is a direct result from a more enlightened policy from the
administration," Mirken said, citing Attorney General Eric Holder's
cessation of medical marijuana raids, in keeping with Obama's opposition to them, despite some Drug Enforcement Agency raids that were conducted soon after Obama transitioned into office.
Rhode Island is now the third state to allow medical marijuana dispensaries, along with California and New Mexico. New Mexico became the first state to issue a license for a dispensary in March, pursuant to legislation passed in 2008.
And another defeat for the cartels! Every state that establishes a legal marijuana supply denies the cartels of more and more of their marijuana profits.
When we legalize the production and sale of marijuana to adults in every state we'll bankrupt the cartels and end the daily murders they commit to protect their drug profits.
Keep the ball rolling! Write to your legislators today telling them your support of them depends on their support of adult marijuana sales.
Yo! Obama,
We got to chat. Your Administration is jailing political prisoners. Charles Lynch provided medical marijuana to an underage cancer patient undergoing chemo therapy. With his parent’s permission the patient used the medical marijuana to help in regaining his appetite and relieve pain. The medical marijuana helped the young man. Mr. President, you smoked pot, you got the munchies—do I have to draw you a picture. Mr. Lynch will spend a year in jail, his life destroyed, a criminal. You must feel satisfied; Mr. Lynch received a fair trial, he could not bring up the facts: that medical marijuana in California was legal, and that he followed all of the guidelines set up by the state and the city of Morro Bay to comply with zoning, security and patient registration. This is what amounts to a fair trial in our U.S. District Courts? Really? I am not a politician, lawyer, or well connected lobbyist, just a plain citizen so please listen to the following; helping people who are really struggling, will make you feel really good, and get you more support, especially when you get involved. We need more attention than the smart ass response you gave at the online town hall meeting, it was too smart and too cute by half. You know which response I’m talking about. We got it, we heard. “No, legalizing (medical) marijuana will not solve the problems of the U. S. economy.” That was not what you were asked, but you got a giggle from your quick quip. The following stories are America, Mr. President, our country, our people trying to help its weakest amongst us, while creating a more perfect union. Have you heard?
People United for Medical Marijuana (www.pufmm, go and see the video) was founded by a young woman, Kim Russell of Central Florida, whose father’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease led her into a desperate search for the best treatments she could find to stem his demise. As only a daughter can do, Kim threw all her efforts into her quest. She was able to find and communicate with a researcher who reported positive results in studies that had been conducted with medical marijuana, but there would be some additional hurdles for Kim and her Dad that would have to be overcome first. Now, her young daughter gives her hugs as Kim manages and runs public advocacy for a statewide ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana, evaluates fundraising activities, budgeting, and reviews medical information and studies for the group she founded to help patients like her dad. Kim wants what is best for her dad. Kim found that to do it, she would have to change a few laws and FDA regulations to make a solution for her beloved Dad. She does not back down. Would you settle for less than the best solution or treatment, for your kids or Michelle? We all feel a commitment to serve and love the ones closest to us, inspired at times by events or situations that thrust us into the world, to make real changes so that our family member can thrive or just survive. Sound familiar?
You must have your stones in a vise. That’s a phrase, “stones in a vise”, an old Vet shared with me as he lay dying trying to explain his own condition, frail and wasting away. No access to medical marijuana in Florida, but if he was lucky enough to be dying in Michigan, New Mexico or California where VA Physicians can recommend this course of treatment to restore appetite and thus life sustaining food he might have a better outcome. Tough shit soldier, the law and our inane rules matter more than his worn out, used up in battle, tired and dying ass. Care to go with me to a Vet Hospital and be introduced to a new generation of warriors, smart and brave who are not going to believe and stand by while the Government lies to them about medical marijuana not providing relief to over 48 mental/medical ailments and conditions. It is a shame they will come home from not one, but two wars and find Uncle Sam has revitalized a war on the people at home, the War on Drugs. Actually a war on patients and care-givers, isn’t the most despicable part of this, if you can overlook the fact that in many instances it is more cost effective and provides for a better outcome for the Veteran suffering from PTSD and in some cases Traumatic Brain Injury to forgo the mind numbing pharma solutions doled out. We know the Doctors have been brainwashed and in some cases paid off by big drug company’s to push the pills and belittle the use of a cheaper and better performing treatment (medical marijuana) that the patient/care-giver can grow in a garden for next to nothing. This situation is a mess. Your inaction, makes criminals out of men and women, young former active-duty and older reservist's, and Guard members who put their lives in the breach for something as altruistic as justice for all, so they can come home and get arrested for something you did yourself “of course I inhaled, that was the point”. I’m sure your career would have turned out different if you had been arrested. Funny, who or what has your stones in a vise that you can’t fix this injustice? Cash or compassion, Mr. President? I know you don’t want to upset the AMA and Big Pharma right now.
The elderly get caught up in this as well. Yeah, this is someone’s Grandma describing the relief she receives from medical marijuana. This video was shot by people who also care and are willing to step out and respond with action and a strong spirit in spite of overwhelming indifference on your part. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWZrE8akpg0 What do you know about MS? Montel Williams can give you the lowdown on that. My Mama taught me that birds of a feather flock together. Don’t take my word for it, ask your fellow politico, Rhode Island State Representative Tom Slater, he has been diagnosed with cancer and is about to undergo chemo treatment. Imagine Tom Slater’s disgust as Rhode Island Governor Carcieri vetoed an act to provide a single dispensary, regulated by the state and off the streets, for medical marijuana for the 1000 currently enrolled Rhode Island patients and care-givers. As part of his reasoning for the veto, Governor Carcieri’s primary fear was that Grandma will be on a street corner reselling cannabis to kids, now unless that economy gig doesn’t get better, he may be right. Governors Pawlenty (who also vetoed a Compassionate Use act in Minnesota) and Carcieri are willing to let people suffer, because they think kids will have more access to marijuana? Really? Governor Carcieri hope you don’t feel bad when you get the override of your veto.
I can list more ailments and more of our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, moms and dads to the list, but I think you get it, Mr. President. You need to do all that you can to ensure this situation gets resolved. Thank you for the chat, Mr. President.