RIPAC E-News
August 2008 Edition
RI Patient Advocacy Coalition
August 2008 Edition
RI Patient Advocacy Coalition
Welcome to the monthly newsletter of the RI Patient Advocacy Coalition (RIPAC), Rhode Island's medical marijuana community! Visit our website, www.RIpatients.org.
In this issue:
1. REGISTER TO VOTE IN RHODE ISLAND BY AUGUST 8 DEADLINE
2. UNINSURED? UNDERINSURED? TELL US YOUR HEALTH CARE STORY
3. RIPAC UNVEILS NEW PATIENT/CAREGIVER ORIENTATIONS
4. FEATURED LINK: VANCOUVER ISLAND COMPASSION SOCIETY
5. AUGUST REGIONAL, COMMUNITY, AND CARDHOLDER MEETINGS
1. REGISTER TO VOTE IN RHODE ISLAND BY AUGUST 8 DEADLINE
2. UNINSURED? UNDERINSURED? TELL US YOUR HEALTH CARE STORY
3. RIPAC UNVEILS NEW PATIENT/CAREGIVER ORIENTATIONS
4. FEATURED LINK: VANCOUVER ISLAND COMPASSION SOCIETY
5. AUGUST REGIONAL, COMMUNITY, AND CARDHOLDER MEETINGS
1. REGISTER TO VOTE IN RHODE ISLAND BY AUGUST 9 DEADLINE
- To vote in the September 9 primary election, Rhode Islanders must be registered to vote by August 9. Print out a voter registration form by clicking here, and mail it to your local Board of Canvassers at the address provided.
- Every Rhode Island citizen over 18 years old can register to vote. It's free. Please give us a call if you have any questions about how to register.
- RIPAC's allies at Health Action Partnership are organizing to increase access to quality health care by collecting personal stories. If you are an uninsured or underinsured Rhode Islander suffering from a chronic disease, please click here to open an email questionnaire.
- This campaign by Health Action Partnership will gather Access to Care stories like yours to advocate for early detection, prevention, and adequate treatment of chronic disease. Some of these stories will be chosen to be distributed in written or video form to elected officials and the media.
- RIPAC is providing orientations for both patients and caregivers. This is a chance to meet with a staff member or volunteer one-on-one to address your questions and concerns.
- If you or anyone you know is interested in a free in-person orientation, please call our office at 401-861-1601 or email us at info[at]ripatients.org.
- The Vancouver Island Compassion Society, www.TheVICS.com, a patient-centered medical cannabis dispensary in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is an 800-member non-profit in its 10th year.
- RIPAC would love to see a compassion center here in RI modeled on The VICS. They have a great website; be sure to read their documents and especially cannabis recipes on this page.
- Patients and caregivers can meet others in their local areas at RIPAC Regional Meetings. Contact RIPAC here if you are a Cardholder in Cranston or South County but haven't heard about your Regional Meeting.
- RIPAC's next open Community Meeting for patients, caregivers, advocates, and anyone else interested in learning more about medical marijuana will be 7:00pm, Tuesday, August 12, in Arnold Lounge of Keeney Quadrangle at Brown University (Benevolent St btwn Brown & Benefit, Providence 02906). Contact RIPAC for more information.
- Our next Cardholder Meeting for patients and caregivers licensed in the Medical Marijuana Program will be 7pm, Tuesday, August 19. If you are a licensed patient or caregiver and can attend, contact us for more details.