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In this issue:
1. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO BEGIN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE COMPASSION CENTERS
2. CLINICAL CANNABIS CONFERENCE APRIL 15-17, 2010 IN WARWICK
3. RIPAC GROWING CLASSES FOR PATIENTS
4. THE HEMP AND CANNABIS FOUNDATION
5. RIPAC OFFERS PATIENT AND CAREGIVER ORIENTATIONS
6. MARCH PATIENT AND COMMUNITY MEETINGS — COMMUNITY MEETING TONIGHT!
7. TIPS FOR PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS

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1. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO BEGIN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE COMPASSION CENTERS

• The Department of Health finalized the Compassion Center regulations and will begin accepting applications on March 18. The application period will be open until May 17, 2010. To view the application and regulations click here.
  

2. JOIN US FOR THE CLINICAL CANNABIS CONFERENCE APRIL 15-17

• Patients Out of Time, in association with RIPAC, UC San Francisco and the Rhode Island State Nurses Association will be holding an Accredited Medical Cannabis Therapeutics Conference. The conference will be held April 15-17, 2010 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick, RI. Click here for more information including registration, continuing medical education credits, and a day-by-day schedule.
•  Let your physicians and other health care providers know about the conference. This is an excellent opportunity for local physicians and other health care professionals. Please join us!

3. RIPAC GROWING CLASSES FOR PATIENTS

• There are now spaces available in RIPAC growing classes. These classes are designed for patients with no growing experience. Please call the office at 401.861.1601 for enrollment info.

4. THE HEMP AND CANNABIS FOUNDATION

• Paul Stanford of the THC Foundation gave a talk about cannabinoids at the February patient meeting. Paul also announced his plans to open a medical center in Rhode Island. The medical center will evaluate patients for the Medical Marijuana Program A physician will review the patients medical records, conduct a physical examination and sign certifications for qualifying patients. Patients must already have a relationship with a physician and send their records to the Foundation in advance. For more info contact the Foundation at 1.800.723.0188 or visit their website.
  

5. RIPAC OFFERS PATIENT AND CAREGIVER ORIENTATIONS

• Are you a newly licensed medical marijuana 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.     

6. MARCH MEETINGS: COMMUNITY, PATIENT, REGIONALS

• Community Meeting: 6:30-8:00pm Tuesday, March 9th 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). 
• Patient Meeting: 7:00-8:30pm Tuesday March 30 will be our Patient Meeting for licensed patients and their caregivers only. 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.
• Regional Meetings: Only patients living in South County are welcome at the South County Regional Meeting from 7:00-8:30pm Thursday, March 19. The Newport County Regional Meetings are in Middletown on the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30. Patients from Tiverton and Little Compton are also invited. Call us for directions to the at 861-1601. The East Bay Regional Meeting is discontinued temporarily. Caregivers are welcome at regional meetings when accompanied by their registered patients(s).

7. TIPS FOR PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS

• Take care of your card and protect it from wear and tear. Make sure the numbers on the card are legible. If they are worn to the point that you cannot read them, then request a replacement card from the Department of Health as soon as possible. If the police cannot read the numbers, then they will not be able to verify the validity of your card and you could be detained or arrested.

Wishing you a happy and healthy month,

RIPAC
www.RIpatients.org

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