Marijuana Policy Project

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rep. Thomas Slater, a state lawmaker who successfully urged legalizing marijuana to ease the pain of chronically ill patients, died of cancer Monday at his Providence home, legislative leaders said. He was 68.

Despite being seriously ill with cancer, Slater, D-Providence, faithfully attended sessions of the General Assembly into the summer to oversee an expansion of the state's medical marijuana program. The former Marine smiled, insisting he would beat his illness and recover just weeks ago.

"He was pugnacious and persistent when it came to an issue that he felt was worth fighting for," said Sen. Rhoda Perry, D-Providence, who partnered with Slater for years on legalizing medical marijuana. "He persevered until he got the measure passed."

First elected to office in 1994, Slater is best known for sponsoring legislation that in 2006 made Rhode Island the 11th state in the country to allow chronically ill patients to possess small amounts of marijuana to ease their symptoms. The drug remains illegal under federal law.

Slater cast the sole vote in 2005 against an amendment naming the new law for him. He never seemed to doubt the bill would pass even when supporters occasionally did.

"He was always a very optimistic person," said Jesse Stout, a board member at the Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition, which supported legalization.

But the law had a defect: It never explained how patients could legally purchase the drug. Several patients reported being robbed and assaulted after turning to street dealers.

At Slater's urging, lawmakers passed legislation this year by a wide margin allowing up to three nonprofit stores in the state to legally sell marijuana to registered patients. Slater received a standing ovation from his colleagues -- and even some critics -- when the bill passed in the House.

As representative of a poor section of Providence, Slater spoke out against budget cuts that limited welfare benefits to the poor and reduced health care for children. He opposed an executive order signed by Republican Gov. Don Carcieri cracking down on illegal immigrants living in Rhode Island.

"He was a man of extraordinary integrity and had a real passion to help others in any way he could," Providence Mayor David Cicilline said in a statement released late Monday. "As long as Tom Slater was in the room, the poor, the hungry, the weak and the sick had a powerful voice at the State House."

Slater is survived by his wife, Jody McKiernan, and three grown children.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Trainor Funeral Home in Warwick. A Mass of Christian burial is scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew's Church in Cranston, said Michael Trainor, director of the Trainor Funeral Home.

Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis will work out a calendar with the Providence Board of Canvassers for a special election to fill Slater's seat.