Binky
05-20-2005, 09:00 AM
Providence, R.I. -- Patients suffering from diseases like cancer and AIDS would be shielded from prosecution for smoking marijuana, under a bill passed Thursday by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Eligible patients' doctors and caregivers also would be protected under the bill, called the Medical Marijuana Act.
The committee passed the bill on a 9-2 vote, with Sens. Leonidas Raptakis and Leo Blais opposing. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
The House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare considered its own bill on medical marijuana on Wednesday.
Sen. Rhoda Perry, the bill's main sponsor, said the bill is intended for very ill patients who suffer pain, nausea or other symptoms from painkillers. The Providence Democrat acknowledged when questioned by another senator that any Rhode Island distributor would be acting illegally. Later, she said there are legal sources for medical marijuana outside the state.
Some senators voiced reservations about the bill, but voted it out of committee anyway.
"So, let's try it," said Sen. Joseph Polisena, D-Johnston. "If it works, we've helped people in this state."
The Rhode Island State Police and the state Health Department oppose the legislation.
State Police Lt. LeRoy Rose said police were concerned about where patients would get the drug, and the amount a patient could have.
Ten states already have laws permitting the medical use and cultivation of marijuana, according to the bill.
The Senate bill included some late revisions. They include requiring the primary caregiver to be 21 years of age, giving the Health Department 30 days to review a patient's application and adding certain nonprofit organizations as primary caregivers, according to Perry.
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Published: May 19, 2005
Copyright: 2005 Globe Newspaper Company
Contact: letter@globe.com
Website: http://www.boston.com/globe/
The committee passed the bill on a 9-2 vote, with Sens. Leonidas Raptakis and Leo Blais opposing. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
The House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare considered its own bill on medical marijuana on Wednesday.
Sen. Rhoda Perry, the bill's main sponsor, said the bill is intended for very ill patients who suffer pain, nausea or other symptoms from painkillers. The Providence Democrat acknowledged when questioned by another senator that any Rhode Island distributor would be acting illegally. Later, she said there are legal sources for medical marijuana outside the state.
Some senators voiced reservations about the bill, but voted it out of committee anyway.
"So, let's try it," said Sen. Joseph Polisena, D-Johnston. "If it works, we've helped people in this state."
The Rhode Island State Police and the state Health Department oppose the legislation.
State Police Lt. LeRoy Rose said police were concerned about where patients would get the drug, and the amount a patient could have.
Ten states already have laws permitting the medical use and cultivation of marijuana, according to the bill.
The Senate bill included some late revisions. They include requiring the primary caregiver to be 21 years of age, giving the Health Department 30 days to review a patient's application and adding certain nonprofit organizations as primary caregivers, according to Perry.
Source: Boston Globe (MA)
Published: May 19, 2005
Copyright: 2005 Globe Newspaper Company
Contact: letter@globe.com
Website: http://www.boston.com/globe/