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View RIPAC's pamphlet about the Rhode Island Medical Marijuana ActRecent RIPAC and medical marijuana news:
6/21/08: The General Assembly did not pass our Compassion Center bill this year, but did create a study commission to examine the issue with an eye toward passing it next year. Story at their press bureau and Woonsocket Call.6/2/08: The Providence Journal published an Op-Ed by RIPAC ED Jesse Stout and mentioned our radio ad campaign in their Political Scene column. On June 12 The Warwick Beacon published two letters-to-editor from patients. The June issue of Providence Monthly has this great photo essay on medical marijuana: "Searching for Relief."
5/15/08: The RI Senate approved the Compassion Center bill by 29-6! RIPAC member Kelly Powers called on the House to follow suit with great letters in The Providence Journal and The Warwick Beacon. Also, the RI Medical Society sent this letter reminding RI doctors of RIMS's positive position on medical marijuana.
5/2/08: A new poll found 69% of Rhode Islanders support Compassion Centers.
4/8/08: After the Compassion Center bill's House hearing, patients spoke with ABC6 News: video here! We were also featured by WPRI-12/FOX News in this story and this video, and on the cover of the Providence Journal's Rhode Island section. On April 14, the Newport Daily News editorialized in favor.
4/2/08: After the Compassion Center bill's Senate hearing, 3 patients appeared on NBC WJAR Ch10 News, we talked to WRNI Public Radio, and the Providence Journal came out with an April 3rd cover story.
2/14/08: A Providence Journal editorial asked, "How are medical users to legally acquire marijuana?" We get that question all the time! Read the editorial. More editorials here. The Providence Phoenix for the week of Feb 21 includes RIPAC's answer to the Journal's question, right here. And US Rep. Barney Frank's answer is here.
11/17-18/07: RIPAC members Chris Neves and Bobbie Ebert publicly asked Presidential candidate Senator John McCain (R-AZ) not to arrest medical marijuana patients if elected; watch the Q-and-A here and here.
9/9/07: The Sunday Providence Journal featured a major article about RIPAC members Kelly Powers, Rhonda O'Donnell, Denis Dubois, Emelie Archibald, and Bobbie Ebert. This story is a turning point for medical marijuana in RI, read it here! A follow-up letter-to-the-editor by RIPAC member Bill Cotton appeared in the Sunday Providence Journal on September 16; here it is.
6/21/07: The Medical Marijuana Act is now permanent!
For more stories on medical marijuana in Rhode Island, visit our NEWS page.
Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Act
On January 3, 2006, the Rhode Island General Assembly overrode Governor Carcieri’s veto, protecting patients and passing the RI Medical Marijuana Act, or:
The Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act
“to protect patients with debilitating medical conditions, and their physicians and primary caregivers, from arrest and prosecution, criminal and other penalties ... if such patients engage in the medical use of marijuana.”
The Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act
“to protect patients with debilitating medical conditions, and their physicians and primary caregivers, from arrest and prosecution, criminal and other penalties ... if such patients engage in the medical use of marijuana.”
You can start exploring our website from our Legal Overview page.