MARIJUANA BILL VETOED IN R.I.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Republican Gov. Don Carcieri vetoed a bill
Wednesday that would have made Rhode Island the 11th state to allow
the medical use of marijuana. Legislators said they believed they
had enough votes to override the governor.

Carcieri said the bill was flawed and could encourage marijuana abuse.

The bill passed 52-10 in the House and 34-2 in the Senate. An
override would require votes from three-fifths of the lawmakers in each body.

"The governor has shown no compassion for the people who really need
it," said Rep. Thomas Slater, the bill's House sponsor.

The bill would protect from prosecution seriously ill people who had
a doctor's recommendation for marijuana.