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Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition
RIPAC E-News
February 2007 Edition
RI Patient Advocacy Coalition

Welcome to the newsletter of the Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition (RIPAC)!  Visit our website, www.RIpatients.org ...

In this issue:
1. RIPAC OFFERS PRESENTATIONS: MARIJUANA AS LEGAL MEDICINE
2.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL TO BE INTRODUCED
3.
NEW STUDY: MARIJUANA FOR HIV NEUROPATHY
4. PATIENT/CAREGIVER AFFINITY GROUP
5. MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVANCES IN MORE STATES


1. RIPAC OFFERS PRESENTATIONS: MARIJUANA AS LEGAL MEDICINE
  • From 4-5pm on March 8, RIPAC staff will give a public presentation at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 50 Crescent View Avenue in Riverside, about the science and legal status of medical marijuana.  
  • If you are part of any medical, civic, or other group that would like to learn more about medical marijuana, contact RIPAC now to make an appointment for a customized presentation!
2. MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL TO BE INTRODUCED
  • The RI General Assembly has issued a press release about the upcoming introduction of medical marijuana bills in the House and Senate.  
  • The 2007 RI Medical Marijuana Act will include, among other reforms, the repeal of the "sunset clause" under which the current Medical Marijuana Act will expire in June 2007. 
3. NEW STUDY: MARIJUANA FOR HIV NEUROPATHY
  • On February 13, Dr. Donald Abrams published a study in the journal Neurology showing that marijuana smoking reduces neuropathic pain in HIV patients. 
  • Dr. Abrams said, "This is evidence, using the gold standard for clinical research, that cannabis has some medicinal benefits for a condition that can be severely debilitating."
4. PATIENT/CAREGIVER AFFINITY GROUP
  • RIPAC is helping to organize a group of medical marijuana patients and caregivers to network, share information and stories, and provide mutual support--you are not alone!
  • If you are a patient or caregiver, or know a patient or caregiver who would be interested in meeting other patients, please contact RIPAC!
5. MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVANCES IN MORE STATES
  • Medical marijuana bills advanced out of a Senate committee in Vermont and a House committee in New Mexico this week, and were recently introduced in Illinois and Minnesota.
  • For more medical marijuana news, watch the newsfeeds on our News page!

Have a healthy day,
RIPAC
www.RIpatients.org