RIPAC E-News
June 2009 Edition
RI Patient Advocacy Coalition
June 2009 Edition
RI Patient Advocacy Coalition
Welcome to the monthly newsletter of the RI Patient Advocacy Coalition (RIPAC), the medical marijuana community of Rhode Island! Visit our website, www.RIpatients.org.
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In this issue:
1. HOUSE PASSES MEDICAL MARIJUANA COMPASSION CENTERS BILL!
2. HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES SENATE'S COMPASSION CENTER BILL
3. RIPAC HOODIES ARE HERE - GET YOURS NOW
4. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS OF RI ENDORSES MMJ
5. RIPAC TESTIFIES FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN MASSACHUSETTS
6. RIPAC OFFERS PATIENT AND CAREGIVER ORIENTATIONS
7. JUNE MEETINGS: COMMUNITY, PATIENT, REGIONALS
1. HOUSE PASSES MEDICAL MARIJUANA COMPASSION CENTERS BILL!
- On May 20, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved the Compassion Center bill by a vote of 63-5! You can read excellent coverage from The Providence Journal, The Woonsocket Call, and The Newport Daily News.
- This week at the State House, the Senate will consider the House's bill. If the House bill passes, it will be sent to the Governor to become law, or be vetoed. If he vetoes it, RIPAC will call on the General Assembly to override his veto!
- On May 27, the House of Representatives Committee on Health, Education, & Welfare voted 10-0 in favor of the Senate's Compassion Center bill. This passage sent the bill to the full House for a floor vote.
- This Wednesday June 3, ~4:30pm at the State House, the House will also consider the Senate's (identical) compassion center bill. If the Senate bill passes, it will be sent to the Governor to be signed or vetoed.
- RIPAC hoodies are here! Comfortable, stylish, and featuring a new logo! Check out the low prices at RIpatients.org/shirts.
- Our hooded sweatshirts are available in navy blue and ash gray, and come in sizes from Small to XXXL. You can order them, and our original t-shirts, at RIpatients.org/shirts.
- On May 6, the National Association of Social Workers's Rhode Island chapter passed a resolution endorsing medical marijuana and RIPAC's mission.
- We'd like to place a medical marijuana article in the NASW-RI's next newsletter. Are you a social worker who can send in this article? Or do you know a social worker? If so, please contact RIPAC right away.
- On May 19, RIPAC Executive Director Jesse Stout and Rhode Island medical marijuana patient Bobbie Ebert traveled to Boston to testify on the Massachusetts bill to protect patients there.
- Over 20 people spoke in favor before the Joint Committee on Public Health. Though the committee has never voted on this bill in any of the years they have heard it, we hope that this will be the year.
- 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.
- Community Meeting: 6:30-8:00pm Tuesday, June 9 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, June 30 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 Wednesday, June 17 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, June 18; write to us for the location.
Have a healthy day,
RIPAC
www.RIpatients.org