Carcieri Vetoes Renewal of Medical Marijuana Program
PROVIDENCE, RI Governor Carcieri vetoes legislation renewing Rhode Island's marijuana program.
The governor says the bill would still leave marijuana users open to federal prosecution and would encourage them to buy the drug from illicit dealers.
Rhode Island became the eleventh state in the country last year to legalize marijuana for medical purposes.
The program expires June 30 unless a bill extending it becomes law. The reauthorization passed by a veto-proof margin in both the House and Senate.
Under the program, patients with cancer, AIDS and other debilitating illnesses can possess the drug to ease their symptoms.
Lawmakers in the House and Senate easily obtained the three-fifths majority necessary to override Carcieri's veto of the original program more than a year ago.
| 
