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In this issue:
1. RIPAC PRESS SUCCESS IN OCTOBER
2. RI DEPT OF HEALTH LICENSES 1,000TH PATIENT INTO MMJ PROGRAM
3. JANE METRIK, PHD "RISKS AND BENEFITS OF MARIJUANA"-NOV 5TH
4. NATIONAL PROGRESS IN THE MMJ MOVEMENT
5. RI CAMPAIGN FOR INFORMED MARIJUANA POLICY ENDORSES MMJ
6. RIPAC OFFERS PATIENT AND CAREGIVER ORIENTATIONS
7. NOVEMBER MEETINGS: COMMUNITY, PATIENT, REGIONALS

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1. RIPAC PRESS SUCCESS IN OCTOBER

• October was another GREAT month for the RI Medical Marijuana (MMJ) Program in regards to press coverage. The RI MMJ Program and two patients in RI have been featured in The New York Times on October 10th and again on October 19th.
  
• A story from back in May 2009,"Why I Give My 9-Year-Old Pot," was continued with a Part II on October 5th.
• The Brown Daily Herald featured "The Cannabis Question," which resulted in a very favorable Letter to the Editor.
• An Associated Press Story that was hosted on TIME Magazine's website on October 19th.
• RIPAC Executive Director, Stephen Hogan Jr, was also interviewed by WPRI FOX/Providence this month.
• Click here to read all of this months' press coverage.

2. RI DEPT OF HEALTH LICENSES 1,000TH PATIENT INTO MMJ PROGRAM

• On October 9th, the RI Department of Health announced that they had licensed the 1,000th MMJ Patient in RI!!
• We are forecasting an influx of patients signing up for the RI MMJ Program in the near future when the compassion center opens sometime next year.
• This is a remarkable milestone that should be celebrated. More and more patients in RI are getting the medicine they need.

3. JANE METRIK, PHD "RISKS AND BENEFITS OF MARIJUANA"-NOV 5TH

• On Thursday, November 5th from 6-8:30pm at BRAVO BRASSERIE located at 123 Empire Street in Providence, Dr. Jane Metrik will be presenting "Risks and Benefits of Marijuana."
  
• The objectives of this program are to provide a comprehensive review on marijuana use prevalence, disorders, the risks associated with use and abuse and the therapeutic action of medical marijuana.
• For additional information and to rsvp, please contact Ms. Megan Turcotte, (401) 335-3207; Fax: (401) 751-8050.
• Costs are: RIMWA Members - $45.00; Non-Member Guests - $55.00; Resident - $35.00; Students - $25.00

4. NATIONAL PROGRESS IN THE MMJ MOVEMENT

• On October 19th, the Obama administration came out publicly again to direct federal prosecutors, FBI officials and DEA officials NOT to arrest patients and caregivers who are complying with state law in the 13 states that currently have medical marijuana laws in place. It is great to see that our President has kept this promise from his presidential campaign and that he realizes that this is not a good use of time or resources. Click here to read the memorandum.
• Congressman Sam Farr (CA-D) introduced national legislation on October 27th that would allow individuals accused of violating federal marijuana laws to offer evidence in federal court that their use of medical marijuana followed state medical marijuana laws. Click here to read about it.
  

5. RI CAMPAIGN FOR INFORMED MARIJUANA POLICY ENDORSES MMJ

• On October 26th, the RI Campaign For Informed Marijuana Policy passed a resolution endorsing medical marijuana and RIPAC's mission.
• We welcome The Campaign to our coalition and look forward to working with them in the future.
• If you are part of an organization that would endorse medical marijuana, please Contact RIPAC so that they can become a part of the RI Patient Advocacy Coalition.

6. 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.     

7. NOVEMBER MEETINGS: COMMUNITY, PATIENT, REGIONALS

• Community Meeting: 6:30-8:00pm Tuesday, November 10th 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, November 24th 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: The East Bay Regional Meeting will be suspended for 2-3 months while the East Prov Public Library is renovated.  Only patients/caregivers living in South County are welcome at the South County Regional Meeting from 7:00-8:30pm Thursday, October 15th; write to us for the location. Are the Regional Meetings not in your area? Contact RIPAC if you are interested in starting one.

To sustain our efforts to organize patients and educate our state, please donate to RIPAC at RIpatients.org/donate or by calling us at 401-861-1601

Have a healthy day,
RIPAC
www.RIpatients.org