MEDICAL MARIJUANA CENTERS BILL HEADED FOR HOUSE VOTE

PROVIDENCE -- A proposal that would create licensed dispensaries to
sell marijuana to those who've been prescribed the drug for medicinal
purposes is headed for an official vote on the House floor in the
coming weeks, having cleared a final committee Thursday night.

Establishing the so-called "compassion centers" would allow the
hundreds of Rhode Islanders legally allowed to use the drug under a
relatively new state law to safely and affordably purchase it, supporters say.

Though lawmakers in 2006 legalized use of medical marijuana for those
who suffer from certain chronic, debilitating illnesses, they never
provided a legal avenue to obtain the drug, drawing concerns about
safety and accessibility.

Thursday night's vote, which came just 24 hours after the full Senate
OK'd the measure, was lauded by patients and legislative supporters.
"This is about safety," said patient Ellen Smith, of Scituate. "When
you're feeling sick, the last thing you want to worry about is where
you will safely get your medicine."

"Our intent was not to send people out to deal with drug dealers,"
said Rep. Joseph McNamara, D-Warwick, who chairs the House Health,
Education and Welfare Committee that approved the bill. "...This
legislation allows people to have a safe, viable and regulated
alternative to that. In the past, we had some questions related to
the security of the compassion centers which I think have been addressed."