Governor vetoes compassion center study commission
Last update: July 10, 2008
On July 2, Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) vetoed H 7888, which would simply set up a study commission on medical marijuana access. H 7888, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Slater, provides that a 13-member commission, including medical professionals, patient advocates, and legislators, would study the issues relating to medical marijuana and access. The commission would report to the legislature with recommendations by the end of January.
H 7888 was amended from its original form, which would have allowed up to three compassion centers. Compassion centers would provide patients with safe and legal access to their medicine. They would ensure that patients would no longer have to risk the streets if they cannot grow their own medicine or find a reliable caregiver.
For its first year, the compassion center proposal made a great deal of progress. The Senate approved the bill in a 29-5 vote in May. But, rather than voting on allowing compassion centers, the House voted to establish a study commission. Compassion centers garnered the support of 69% of Rhode Islanders and the state's most prestigious health and medical organizations. Please ask your legislators to override Gov. Carcieri's veto of the study commission proposal. Patients and advocates are hoping that next year, once they have studied the issue, the General Assembly will pass a compassion center bill.
Rhode Island's medical marijuana law
Rhode Island is one of the 12 states that allows patients with debilitating conditions to use medical marijuana with their doctors' recommendations. Qualifying patients can apply to the program on the Rhode Island Health Department's Web site. Low-income patients who cannot afford the application fee can apply to MPP for financial assistance. Click here to learn about MPP's financial assistance program.
Ending mandatory minimums and life sentences for marijuana offenders
For the second year in a row, the Rhode Island General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to give judges more discretion on marijuana sentencing and to amend draconian sentencing laws. But on June 23, Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) vetoed the sensible proposal for the second straight year.
S 2232 and H 8025 would reduce the maximum sentence for possessing or delivering one to five kilograms with a detectable amount of marijuana from 50 years in prison to 20 years. The maximum sentence for possessing or delivering more than five kilograms with a detectable amount of marijuana would be reduced from life in prison to 30 years. The bills would also eliminate 10- to 20-year mandatory minimum sentences.
If you think nonviolent marijuana offenders shouldn't be locked up for longer than many murderers and child molesters, please ask your state senator and state representative to urge leadership to call an override vote on these bills. The sentencing reductions would also apply to other drug offenses.
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