R.I. Senate vote tomorrow; MPP poll shows 3-to-1 support for compassion centers

The Rhode Island Senate has scheduled a historic vote for Tuesday on allowing nonprofit compassion centers to distribute medical marijuana to registered patients. The vote will be Tuesday, May 13, sometime after 4:00 p.m. If you haven't done so yet, please e-mail and call your state senator.

On the eve of the Senate's vote, an MPP-commissioned poll has found that 69% of Rhode Islanders support the allowing compassion centers. Only 21% oppose the idea. Support for the bill spans all demographics, regardless of gender, age, or party. 

In addition to the support among the public, the bill enjoys strong support in the state's medical and religious communities. The Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition (an MPP grantee) has organized a coalition of supporters that includes the state's doctors and nurses associations; the Rhode Island State Council of Churches; the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Rhode Island Chapter; and the Rhode Island Office of the Public Defender.

S. 2693, sponsored by Sen. Rhoda Perry (D-Providence), would improve access to medicine for those too sick or frail or otherwise unable to grow their own much-needed medicine. It will greatly reduce the need to seek relief in the unregulated illegal market. Gov. Don Carcieri (R) has indicated he will veto the bill, so please don't forget to help make sure the bill passes by a wide margin.

If you are a patient, caregiver, or medical professional, e-mail Karen O'Keefe at Karen@mpp.org to see how you can be of special help.

Thank you for your support and compassion. Please forward this alert on to others in Rhode Island so, together, we can ensure that Rhode Island's patients can obtain safe and legal access to medical marijuana.