Rhode Island Legalizes Medical Marijuana
January 4, 2006
North Country Gazette
PROVIDENCE, RI---Patients with illnesses such as AIDS and cancer can legally grow up to 12 marijuana plants or buy 2.5 ounces of marijuana to relieve their symptoms in Rhode Island as a result of a new law passed Tuesday.
The state is the first to legalize marijuana since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June 2005 that medical marijuana users can be prosecuted under federal law. Patients who use marijuana for medical purposes in Rhode Island must register with the state and obtain an identification card.
Although federal law prohibits any use of marijuana, 10 states allow pot to be grown and used for medical purposes. Rhode Island joins Maine, Vermont, Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada and Oregon and Washington in permissible use.
Although Gov. Don Carcieri had vetoed the bill, it was overridden by a 59-13 in the Rhode Island House. According to the Associated Press, Carcieri complained that the law doesn't provide patients with ways to buy marijuana legally and leaves them open to federal prosecution.
Although the Supreme Court ruled in June, 2005 that medical marijuana users could be prosecuted under federal law, federal authorities have said its unlikely that many would be charged
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