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In this issue:
1. RI DEPT OF HEALTH RELEASES COMPASSION CENTER DRAFT REGULATIONS AND HOLDS COMMUNITY MEETING
2. RIPAC IS IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS FOR OFFICE WORK
3. PATIENT TIP- LABEL YOUR PLANTS
4. ALERT-IS YOUR WIRING SAFE?
5. RIPAC OFFERS PATIENT AND CAREGIVER ORIENTATIONS
6. SEPTEMBER MEETINGS: COMMUNITY, PATIENT, REGIONALS

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1. RI DEPT OF HEALTH RELEASES COMPASSION CENTER DRAFT REGULATIONS AND HOLDS COMMUNITY MEETING

• On August 11th, RI Department of Health released a draft of the regulations for the first state regulated, not for profit compassion center in Rhode Island. Click here to read the regulations.
• Tuesday, August 25th the RI Department of Health had an informal community meeting about these regulations. Many members of the community were in attendance. Click here to read news stories about the event.

2. RIPAC IS IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS FOR OFFICE WORK

• We are looking for volunteers with at least a (consistent) 6 hour commitment per week to help answer phones, data entry and small office/admin work.
  
• If you or someone you know has computer skills, good phone skills and is able to help, please have them contact Stephen at 861-1603
  

3. PATIENT TIP- LABEL YOUR PLANTS

• The best way to protect yourself under the Medical Marijuana Act is to label your grow-site with a copy of your license card. Prepare for the unexpected: in case law enforcement visits your garden when you aren't home, they have no other way to determine your patient status.
  
• Some patients provide contact information (like a cell phone number) near their plants so that, in this event, police can communicate with them directly.
• Caregivers should also have a copy of their license card (for each patient they are caregivers for) at their grow-site.

4. ALERT-IS YOUR WIRING SAFE?

• Make sure your wiring and lights in your garden are SAFE!!
  
• If there are any questions get a licensed electrician to advise you.
  
• If you have a problem finding a licensed electrician or can not afford one, please contact RIPAC and we will try to put you in contact with a volunteer electrician.
• DON'T TAKE ANY CHANCES WITH WIRING!!

5. 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.     

6. SEPTEMBER MEETINGS: COMMUNITY, PATIENT, REGIONALS

• Community Meeting: 6:30-8:00pm Tuesday, September 8th 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, September 29th 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, September 15th 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, September 19th; write to us for the location.

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