Marijuana Policy Project

PROVIDENCE — The General Assembly today cleared the way for the creation of "compassion centers" to dispense medical marijuana, overriding Gov. Donald L. Carcieri’s veto of the bill legalizing the dispensaries.

The House vote to override the veto was unanimous, and the Senate tally was 35-3.

The measure’s prime sponsors, Rep. Thomas C. Slater (D-Providence) and Sen. Rhoda E. Perry (D-Providence), said the action was a satisfying culmination of a battle they have waged for the better part of a decade on behalf of patients suffering from chronic, debilitating pain.

While Rhode Island legalized the use and possession of medical marijuana in 2006, up to now patients have had no legal way to purchase the drug.

The Ocean State now becomes the third state, after California and New Mexico, to allow dispensaries for medical marijuana.

"For the more than 600 Rhode Islanders who rely on medical marijuana to help relieve the unimaginable suffering that some diseases cause, or to relieve their nausea enough to take food, this will provide not only relief and safety, but also dignity," said Slater. "Sick people should not be forced to associate with drug dealers and the dark underbelly of society to get the help they need. I’m glad we’re finally recognizing their right to access marijuana safely, legally and without needless shame or fear.”

Slater himself is in treatment for advanced-stage cancer and expects to use marijuana soon at the recommendation of a doctor, according to a statement released by the General Assembly press office.

The law will allow up to three licensed dispensaries to distribute marijuana and related equipment to patients and their caregivers registered in the state’s medical marijuana program.

The bill (2009-H 5359A, 2009-S 0185aa) takes effect immediately, but the R.I. Department of Health will have to issue regulations and set up a licensing process before any compassion centers can be opened.

Today’s vote marks the third time the General Assembly has overridden the governor’s veto of legislation relating to medical marijuana, the press release said.

In January 2006, the Assembly overrode a veto to pass the original bill allowing a year-long trial of legalized medical marijuana in the state, and then overrode the governor again the following year to permanently enact the law.

The governor also vetoed a bill last year that would have studied the issue of compassion centers, but the Assembly had already recessed for the summer and never overrode that veto.

Slater and Perry said they pushed for the centers this year because President Barack Obama’s administration has indicated it will be more supportive than the previous administration of states’ efforts to provide relief to suffering patients.

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. has stated that the federal government will cease raids on such dispensaries that comply with the laws of their states.

Some of the patients who testified for the bill told Rhode Island lawmakers of being robbed, beaten and terrified while attempting to purchase marijuana illegally.

"It’s heartbreaking to think about sick people — some of whom are on death’s door — having to poke around in unsafe places and do business with criminals just to get a little relief from their pain. I’m so proud that Rhode Island is at the forefront of rational thinking about this issue, and that we will now show true compassion for the citizens of this state who are suffering," said Perry.

Perry’s nephew, Edward O. Hawkins, died five years ago after a long, painful battle with AIDS.

Perry said that as Hawkins suffered and wasted away in his final months, his family offered to get him marijuana to ease his pain and relieve his nausea. She said he refused for fear of arrest.

In honor of their personal crusades to make marijuana treatment available to the suffering, the General Assembly christened the law the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act.