Care Centers Can Dispense Medical Marijuana
Donita Naylor
June 16, 2009
Providence Journal
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The House and Senate on Tuesday each overrode Governor Carcieri's veto of legislation allowing three "compassion centers" to dispense medical marijuana.
The Senate vote was 35 to 3. The House vote was unanimous, 67 to 0.
For the bill to become law, both houses were required to overide the veto of their own and the other house's bill. The measure is now in effect.
Last Friday, Carcieri vetoed legislation that would allow three "compassion centers," to dispense marijuana prescribed for people with severe, chronic and debilitating illnesses such as cancer, hepatitis C and HIV. As of April 30, the state had registered 681 such patients and 581 caregivers, all of whom have no legal way to obtain the drug.
Three days before, the Senate voted 31 to 2 to allow the dispensaries. In late May, the House voted 63 to 5 to allow them. Both votes were easily beyond the three-fifths majority needed to override a veto.
In vetoing the bills, Carcieri said he thought "the increased availability, along with a complacent attitude, will no doubt result in increased usage, and will negatively impact the children of Rhode Island" and complicate the jobs of law enforcement officers.
New Mexico this year became the first state to license nonprofit producers of medical marijuana. | 
