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Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition
RIPAC E-News
December 2008 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.

In this issue:
1. 13TH MEDICAL MARIJUANA STATE! BIG ELECTION WINS
2. THANKS EVERYONE FOR A GREAT FUNDRAISER PARTY
3. USE FACEBOOK.COM? JOIN RIPAC'S CAUSE ON FACEBOOK
4. DECEMBER REGIONAL, COMMUNITY, AND PATIENT MEETINGS
5. HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM RIPAC!



1. 13TH MEDICAL MARIJUANA STATE! BIG ELECTION WINS
  • On Election Day, Michigan became the 13th medical marijuana state! 63% voted in favor. Michigan is the most populous state to pass medical marijuana since California in 1996. 25% of Americans now live in medical marijuana states. And the Michigan law's reciprocity clause means that RI patients' cards are honored there (joining RI and MT).
  • Massachusetts became the 13th state to decriminalize possession of marijuana. Possessing less than an ounce now has no criminal penalties, but instead a civil penalty (like a traffic ticket) of a $100 fine.
2. THANKS EVERYONE FOR A GREAT FUNDRAISER PARTY
  • Thanks to everyone who donated and attended RIPAC's 2008 fundraiser party last month at Trinity Brewhouse! Congratulations to the winners of the raffle and silent auctions.
  • We raised some money AND had a great time! We hope you all enjoyed it too.
3. USE FACEBOOK.COM? JOIN RIPAC'S CAUSE ON FACEBOOK
  • If you have a profile on the popular social networking site Facebook.com, now you can join RIPAC's Cause to show your support for medical marijuana in RI. Or, if you're not on Facebook yet, you only need an email address to sign up.
  • Once you have a Facebook account, install the application called Causes and then go to RIPAC's Cause page to join: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/162496?m=fb0046b9&recruiter_id=342307.
  • As a member, you can donate, invite more supporters to join and donate, and post to the Cause's Wall and Discussion Board. Let's see who can recruit the most supporters!
4. DECEMBER REGIONAL, COMMUNITY, AND PATIENT MEETINGS
  • Regional Meeting: 7pm Wednesday, December 17 will be the second-ever Warwick Regional Meeting, intended for licensed patients and their caregivers in the greater Warwick area. Please contact RIPAC here for location/details.
  • Community Meeting: 7:00-8:30pm Tuesday, December 9 will be our open Community Meeting for patients, caregivers, advocates, and anyone else interested in learning more about medical marijuana. Please come to the American Postal Workers Union hall at 1192 Plainfield St in Johnston. For more information, contact RIPAC.
  • Patient Meeting: 7:00-8:30pm Tuesday, December 16 will be our Patient Meeting for licensed patients and their caregivers. This takes the place of the old Cardholder Meeting; caregivers are now expected to attend with their patients, or else contact us in advance. Call us at 861-1601 or contact RIPAC here.
5. HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM RIPAC!
  • Happy winter! Have a merry Chanuka, Christmas, and everything else! We wish you a healthy and safe holiday season.
  • As you complete your end-of-the-year charitable giving, please keep RIPAC in mind. RI Patient Advocacy Coalition is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization, and your donations are fully tax-deductible. Please click RIpatients.org/donate or send a check to "RIPAC" at 145 Wayland Ave., Providence, RI 02906.
Have a healthy day,
RIPAC
www.RIpatients.org