Welcome to our Legal Overview!
Text of the RI Medical Marijuana Act, passed 1/3/06, amended 6/21/07RIPAC Legal F.A.Q. page - Frequently Asked Questions for patients, caregivers
RI Resolution Asking Congress to Legalize Medical Marijuana, enacted 6/9/05
Federal Obstruction of Research Completed, prepared by IDEAL Reform
From Medical Marijuana Program website @ Department of Health (RI DoH):
RI DoH Regulations for Medical Marijuana Program, updated Jan. 2008
RI DoH F.A.Q. for Medical Marijuana Program, released June 2006
RI DoH Medical Marijuana Program Reports: Dec. 2006; Jan. 2009
Q: Who can obtain a license from the RI Medical Marijuana Program?
A: Patients with debilitating conditions and caregivers.
Q: Who is protected under the RI Medical Marijuana Act?
A: Patients, Caregivers, Physicians, Healthcare Professionals, Any Person
Legal Protections for Patients
(protections apply only to patients who possess a registry identification card)• Protection from arrest, prosecution, or penalty for possessing less than or equal to 12 marijuana plants and 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana. Plants must be stored in an indoor facility.
• Protection from civil penalties and disciplinary actions by a business or occupational licensing board or bureau.
• Protection from refused enrollment, employment or lease by school, employer, or landlord respectively
• Protection from the forfeiture of property that is possessed, owned, or used in connection with the medical use of marijuana.
A registry ID card or equivalent issues under the laws of another state shall have the same force and effect as a registry ID card issued by Rhode Island.
Legal Protections for Caregivers
• Protection from arrest, prosecution, or penalty for assisting a qualifying patient to whom he or she is connected through the department’s registration process with less than or equal to 12 marijuana plants and 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana. Plants must be stored in an indoor facility. • Protection from civil penalties and disciplinary actions by a business or occupational licensing board or bureau.
• Caregivers may be reimbursed for costs associated with assisting a qualifying patient. Compensation shall not constitute the sale of controlled substances.
Legal Protections for Physicians
Protected activities: 1. Providing written certifications
2. Stating that the potential benefits of medical marijuana would likely outweigh the health risks for a patient.
• Protection from arrest, prosecution, or penalty
• Protection from civil penalty or disciplinary action by the Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline