RIPAC: Medical Marijuana in Rhode Island

RIPAC E-News
February 2008 Edition
RI Patient Advocacy Coalition

Welcome to the newsletter of the RI Patient Advocacy Coalition (RIPAC), Rhode Island's medical marijuana community! Visit our website, www.RIpatients.org.

In this issue:
1. ROSS V. RAGINGWIRE: PATIENTS' EMPLOYMENT PROTECTIONS
2. URGE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TO PLEDGE TO PROTECT PATIENTS
3. NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED: MEDICALMARIJUANAANDSENIORS.ORG
4. NEXT COMMUNITY MEETING AND CARDHOLDER MEETING
5. COMPASSION CENTER IN RHODE ISLAND? WE NEED HELP!

1. ROSS V. RAGINGWIRE: PATIENTS' EMPLOYMENT PROTECTIONS

Last Thursday, 1/24, the California Supreme Court ruled against CA patient Gary Ross after he sued his employer for firing him over his medical use of marijuana. Read the LA Times story for more details.
The good news is that, unlike in CA, the Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Act explicitly protects patients from being discriminated against by their employers (and schools, and landlords), the only state law that does this. Read that section of the RI MMJ Act.

2. URGE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TO PLEDGE TO PROTECT PATIENTS

Of the remaining Presidential candidates, Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and Congressman Ron Paul have already stated support for medical marijuana. Americans for Safe Access is asking these candidates to pledge to sign an Executive Order ending the DEA raids on medical marijuana providers.
The super-important Super Tuesday primary elections are in just a few days, and Rhode Island's March 4th primaries follow soon after! Please click here to send an email or fax right away!

3. NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED: MEDICALMARIJUANAANDSENIORS.ORG

Americans for Safe Access has also launched a new website, "ASA Seniors' Union," focused on medical marijuana and aging, at MedicalMarijuanaAndSeniors.org. This is a great tool for elderly patients, and for younger patients who need a starting point to discuss medical marijuana with older friends and relatives.
RIPAC remains grateful for the support of the Senior Agenda Coalition, RI's premier senior-issues activist lobbying coalition, and we're becoming a full member of SAC this month! For more: SeniorAgendaRI.org.

4. NEXT COMMUNITY MEETING AND CARDHOLDER MEETING

RIPAC's next open Community Meeting for patients, caregivers, advocates, and anyone else interested in learning more about medical marijuana will be 6:30pm, Tuesday, February 19, at the South Providence Public Library (441 Prairie Avenue, Providence). Contact RIPAC for more information.
Our next Cardholder Meeting, only for licensed patients and caregivers in the RI Medical Marijuana Program, will be 7pm, Tuesday, February 26. If you are a licensed patient or caregiver and would like to attend, contact RIPAC here for the location.

5. COMPASSION CENTER IN RHODE ISLAND? WE NEED HELP!

RIPAC is supporting a bill that would allow a non-profit Compassion Center, an independent state-regulated facility, to distribute medical marijuana to Rhode Island's licensed patients. The bill will be introduced this month!!
Please consider becoming a monthly sustainer of RIPAC by signing up for monthly tax-deductible donations to support our efforts and programs; ask how by emailing info[at]ripatients.org. One-time donations can be made either online with Google Checkout or by check to "RI Patient Advocacy Coalition" at 145 Wayland Avenue, Providence, RI 02906.

Have a healthy day,
RIPAC
www.RIpatients.org

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