RIPAC: Medical Marijuana in Rhode Island

RIPAC E-News
June 2008 Edition
RI Patient Advocacy Coalition

Welcome to the monthly newsletter of the RI Patient Advocacy Coalition (RIPAC), Rhode Island's medical marijuana community! Visit our website, www.RIpatients.org.
SPECIAL: 6/2/08 Providence Journal Op-Ed on Compassion Centers!

In this issue:
1. PLEASE ATTEND 6/11 RIPAC LOBBY DAY FOR COMPASSION CENTER!
2. PROJO OP-ED AND PATIENT RADIO AD FOR COMPASSION CENTER
3. RI SENATE VOTED 29-6 FOR COMPASSION CENTER LEGISLATION
4. PUBLIC OPINION POLL: ALMOST 70% SUPPORT COMPASSION CENTERS
5. NEW RIPAC STRAIN GUIDE TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA GENETICS
6. JUNE REGIONAL, COMMUNITY, AND CARDHOLDER MEETINGS
7. 3 WAYS TO HELP THIS MONTH: LOBBY DAY, CALL/EMAIL REPS, DONATE

1. PLEASE ATTEND 6/11 RIPAC LOBBY DAY FOR COMPASSION CENTER!

Please join RIPAC at 3pm on Wednesday, June 11 for a State House Lobby Day to ask your state representatives to vote for a non-profit Compassion Center to regulate medical marijuana distribution. We need your help!
Email info[at]ripatients.org with your name, address, and number of people you'll bring. Don't be nervous: we live in a democracy and your state rep works for you. If you don't ask for a Compassion Center vote, who will?
Whether or not you'll help on Lobby Day, click here to call your state rep to ask for a vote for a Compassion Center! Next, call the Speaker of the House, Rep. Bill Murphy of West Warwick, at 222-2466 to ask for a vote.

2. PROJO OP-ED AND PATIENT RADIO AD FOR COMPASSION CENTER

Monday, June 2, The Providence Journal published this Op-Ed column by RIPAC Executive Director Jesse Stout calling on the House of Representatives to schedule a vote for Compassion Centers.
The ProJo also ran this Political Scene column about our 30-second radio ad asking the House to vote -- click to hear this ad, featuring patient George DesRoches of Warwick.

3. RI SENATE VOTED 29-6 FOR COMPASSION CENTER LEGISLATION

On May 15, the RI Senate approved the Compassion Center bill by the overwhelming majority 29-6! Now the House of Representatives must vote.
The veto-proof 29-6 vote margin came immediately after sponsor Sen. Rhoda Perry introduced Dr. Donald Abrams as a visiting dignitary. Dr. Abrams was in Providence to lead RIPAC's CME physician seminar that evening (also a huge success).

4. PUBLIC OPINION POLL: ALMOST 70% SUPPORT COMPASSION CENTERS

On May 2, Mason-Dixon Research & Polling released an opinion poll showing 69% of RI voters support Compassion Centers! See full poll results here.
The poll found majority support for state-licensed, state-regulated distribution facilities among every group surveyed, including all ages, regions, genders, and political parties.

5. NEW RIPAC STRAIN GUIDE TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA GENETICS

RIpatients.org now has a new "Strain Guide" page under Medical Info that lists details like growing time and medical indications for medical marijuana strains we've heard of here in Rhode Island.
The Strain Guide has a Comments form where you can submit additions and corrections to our list of strains, so check it out and send suggestions.

6. JUNE REGIONAL, COMMUNITY, AND CARDHOLDER MEETINGS

This month we'll have our first-ever RIPAC Regional Meetings for patients and caregivers to meet others in their local areas. We'll start with Woonsocket, Cranston, and South County and expand next month. Contact RIPAC here if you are a Cardholder in one of these areas but haven't heard about your Regional meeting.
RIPAC's next open Community Meeting for patients, caregivers, advocates, and anyone else interested in learning more about medical marijuana will be 7:00pm, Tuesday, June 10, in Petteruti Lounge of Faunce House at Brown University (75 Waterman Street, Providence 02906). Contact RIPAC for more information.
Our next Cardholder Meeting for patients and caregivers licensed in the Medical Marijuana Program will be 7pm, Tuesday June 24. If you are a licensed patient or caregiver and can attend, contact us for more details.

7. 3 WAYS TO HELP THIS MONTH: LOBBY DAY, CALL/EMAIL REPS, DONATE

On Wednesday June 11 at 3pm come to the State House on Smith Street in Providence to lobby your state representative! Bring friends, family, and neighbors to call for a Compassion Center vote. RSVP with your name, address, and number of guests to info[at]ripatients.org.
Call and email your state rep to ask for a Compassion Center vote! Click here to get your representative's name and phone number, and an optional call script. Click here to email your state rep too.
To sustain our efforts to organize patients and educate our state, please donate to RIPAC at RIpatients.org/donate or by calling 401-861-1601.

Have a healthy day,
RIPAC
www.RIpatients.org

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