Rhode Island paper editorializes in favor of medical marijuana

Last week, the North Kingstown Standard Times joined the Rhode Island Medical Society, Rhode Island State Nurses Association, and more than half of the state legislature in calling for the state to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest.

It pointed out the absurdity of the claims that the doctor-recommended use of marijuana encourages its recreational use, saying, "We don't prevent morphine from being administered to patients who need it—and that's not a 'legal drug' either. Why should marijuana, a less potent drug by far, be withheld?" In response to a politician's claims that marijuana lacks medical value, the Times reminded its readers of the obvious fact that the state's medical organizations wouldn't endorse the state's medical marijuana bills if marijuana didn't have medical value.

While the Times is urging legislators to pass these bills, we hope that you will, too. With only about two months left in the session, we need your help to make this legislation law. Here's what we need from you at this critical time:

1. Write your legislators now.

Let them know that you want them to do everything they can to make sure that patients are not faced with the prospect of arrest and imprisonment for yet another year.

1. Call Gov. Donald Carcieri (R) at 401-222-2080.

Take a few moments to politely urge him to sign the bill into law if it arrives on his desk.

1. Call your legislators.

Your legislators' names and contact numbers are available here and talking points are available here. Before you call, you can check to see if your legislators are among the bills' dozens of cosponsors.

1. Write a letter-to-the editor.

Help keep the issue in the public eye. We've provided talking points that you can use to help craft your letter.

1. Volunteer with Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition.

Please e-mail karen@mpp.org if you can spare a few hours—or more—to make medical marijuana a reality. If you are a patient or medical professional who is willing to share your story, please be sure to mention that.

The North Kingstown Standard Times editorial was of one of several recent columns to point out the need for a medical marijuana law in Rhode Island. Moving op-eds by multiple sclerosis patients Montel Williams and Rhoda O'Donnell were published during this month. And on Sunday, MPP Executive Director Robert Kampia's opinion piece on the approval of liquid medical marijuana in Canada was published, which discussed how this shows—once again—that the federal government is lying about marijuana's medical value.

The medical community's support for S.B. 710 and H.B. 6052 and the op-eds show that marijuana is an effective medicine that should be an option for seriously ill Rhode Islanders. But, there is no substitute for grassroots pressure on legislators to give them the will to turn this sentiment into law. Of the 16 states that have considered protecting medical marijuana patients from arrest this year, none have passed a law yet. We hope that you will take a few moments to break the trend.

Please pass this message along to friends, family, neighbors, and e-mail lists so that others can stand up for Rhode Island's most vulnerable residents.