Pubdate: Tue, 05 Jun 2007
Source: Providence Journal, The (RI)
Copyright: 2007 The Providence Journal Company
Contact:  http://www.projo.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/352
Author: Michael McKinney

CARCIERI VETOES MEDICAL MARIJUANA

PROVIDENCE - As expected, Governor Carcieri yesterday vetoed medical 
marijuana legislation. And Democratic House leader Gordon Fox said he 
believes state lawmakers will override that veto.

"I support efforts to provide effective pain management to persons 
suffering from debilitating conditions, but not in a way that 
violates federal law and ignores the drug approval process as 
established by the Food and Drug Administration," Carcieri, a 
Republican, said in his veto message.

He said the legislation "could potentially subject Rhode Islanders to 
federal prosecution, while significantly complicating the 
responsibilities of state and local law enforcement officials."

But last month, 51 of 75 House members endorsed the measure. 
Forty-five votes, or three-fifths, are required to overturn a veto.

The bill, known as the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical 
Marijuana Act, calls for permanently extending the medical marijuana 
law, which was due to expire this year under a sunset clause.

"I fully expect that we will place a vote to override the governor's 
medical marijuana veto on the floor calendar before the end of our 
session," Fox said in a statement anticipating the veto. A prior vote 
on the bill "made it clear that there is an overwhelming majority in 
the House willing to remove the sunset clause on this compassionate 
legislation."

A patient diagnosed as having a debilitating medical condition would 
be allowed to possess up to 12 marijuana plants and 2.5 ounces of 
marijuana. An adult who has agreed to help an ill person's medical 
use of marijuana - a caregiver - could have 12 plants and 2.5 ounces 
of marijuana for each of up to five qualified patients. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake