GENERAL ASSEMBLY TAKES UP LAST-MINUTE LEGISLATION

PROVIDENCE -- The General Assembly's rush to adjournment took a pause,
as legislators in both the Senate and House of Representatives called
it a night on Friday and took the unusual step of reconvening on
Saturday morning to wrap-up the legislative session.

Here are some of the highlights of the end-of-session lawmaking
blitz:

Efforts to establish "compassion centers" where registered medical
marijuana users could obtain the drug without dealing on the sometimes
dangerous black market failed, but a joint House and Senate resolution
was passed to create a study commission that will spend the
legislative off-season evaluating the idea.

The 13-member commission would include six legislators, three each
from the House and Senate; four Democrats, two from each chamber; and
two Republicans, one from each chamber. Also on the panel will be one
patient advocate from the Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition; one
physician chosen from a list provided by the Rhode Island Medical
Society; one nurse chosen from a list provided by the Rhode Island
Nurses Association; two registered patients enrolled in the medical
marijuana program; one registered caregiver enrolled in the program;
and one representative of the law enforcement community.

They will be charged with making recommendations to the General
Assembly on the merits of allowing for the licensing of non-profit
medical marijuana compassion centers. The commission, the resolution
states, "shall meet with the purpose of evaluating and making
recommendations regarding patients' access to medical marijuana,
efficacy of compassion centers throughout the country, physician
participation in the medical marijuana program, the definitions of
qualifying medical conditions and research on the health effects of
medical marijuana."

"I wish they had passed it," said Sen. Rhoda Perry, the Senate sponsor
of the original medical marijuana bill, which is named for her late
nephew, Edward O. Hawkins, and the sponsor of the House bill,
Providence Rep. Thomas Slater.

"Many times on very controversial issues there are some people who
feel that further education of members is required," Perry said.

"I take it as positive news," she added. "I think it means the
momentum is behind us and we are going to go forward."

"We couldn't get there this year," Slater said. "I hope it will pass
next year."