RIPAC E-News
August 2009 Edition
RI Patient Advocacy Coalition
August 2009 Edition
RI Patient Advocacy Coalition
Welcome to the monthly newsletter of the RI Patient Advocacy Coalition (RIPAC), the medical marijuana community of Rhode Island! Visit our website, www.RIpatients.org.
Follow RIPAC on:
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In this issue:
1. U.S. REP. BARNEY FRANK INTRODUCES MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENT PROTECTION ACT
2. RIPAC VICTORY PARTY A SUCCESS
3. PATIENT TIP- RENEW YOUR CAREGIVERS
4. RIPAC OFFERS PATIENT AND CAREGIVER ORIENTATIONS
5. AUGUST MEETINGS: COMMUNITY, PATIENT, REGIONALS
1. U.S. REP. BARNEY FRANK INTRODUCES MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENT PROTECTION ACT
- Representative Barney Frank (D-Mass) introduced legislation that would protect medical marijuana patients from arrest and prosecution.
- HR 5842 seeks to amend the discrepancy between federal law and the laws of over a dozen states that have enacted regulations governing the therapeutic use of cannabis. It also reclassifies marijuana from a Schedule I drug, which can not be prescribed, to a Schedule II drug, which would be recognized the medical value of marijuana and create a regulatory framework for the FDA to begin a drug approval process for marijuana.
- Click here to contact your State Representative.
- On Tuesday, July 21st RIPAC had our Victory Party and honored Rep. Thomas C. Slater with the first ever Rep. Thomas C. Slater Compassion Award.
- The MMJ community also said farewell to founding executive director Jesse Stout.
- REMINDER!!! Caregivers are not automatically renewed when patients renew their license.
- Patients MUST renew their caregivers or the caregiver will be dropped from the RI Medical Marijuana Program.
4. RIPAC OFFERS PATIENT AND CAREGIVER ORIENTATIONS
- Are you a newly licensed medical marijuana patient or caregiver? Are you looking for information about becoming a licensed patient or caregiver? Schedule a RIPAC Orientation.
- A RIPAC Patient Orientation is a one-on-one meeting with a RIPAC staff member or volunteer to explain the Medical Marijuana Act and answer questions. Patients get advice on choosing and interviewing caregivers. Contact RIPAC and request a Patient Orientation.
- A RIPAC Caregiver Orientation is a one-on-one meeting with a RIPAC staff member or volunteer to explain the Medical Marijuana Act and answer questions. We encourage patients to ask would-be caregivers whether they've attended an orientation. Contact RIPAC and request a Caregiver Orientation.
- Community Meeting: 6:30-8:00pm Tuesday, August 11 will be our open Community Meeting for patients, caregivers, advocates, and anyone else interested in learning more about medical marijuana. Please come to the conference room of Family Service RI (55 Hope Street, Providence 02906). Contact RIPAC for more information.
- Patient Meeting: 7:00-8:30pm Tuesday, August 25 will be our Patient Meeting for licensed patients and their caregivers. Caregivers are welcome at the invitation of their patients; patients should call to inform us if their caregivers are invited. Call us at 861-1601 or contact RIPAC here.
- Regional Meetings: Everyone is invited to the East Bay Regional Meeting from 6:30-8:00pm Tuesday, August 18 at East Prov Public Library. Only patients/caregivers living in South County are welcome at the South County Regional Meeting from 7:00-8:30pm Thursday, August 20; write to us for the location.
Have a healthy day,
RIPAC
www.RIpatients.org