SEN. MOORE SAYS RI PRO-POT DECISION WON'T SWAY HIS OPPOSITION

A local lawmaker whose opposition to legalizing medical marijuana use
triggered a 2004 ballot question in his district, said he remains
opposed, even after Rhode Island passed such a law this week.

Sen. Richard Moore, D-Uxbridge, said similar legislation pending in
Massachusetts can only fail.

"Even if we were to pass the bill, it would have no meaning as the
Rhode Island bill has no meaning because it's contradicting a federal
law," Moore said. "There's still very little in the way of research to
show smoking helps."

Rhode Island is the 11th state to legalize marijuana for medical use.
The state Legislature overrode the governor's veto Tuesday and voted
to allow medical patients to use marijuana to treat ailments
associated with cancer, AIDS, HIV infections and other chronic pain
conditions. Patients can keep up to 12 plants after receiving a card
from a physician certified to write prescriptions.

Maine and Vermont are among the other states that have approved
medical marijuana use and legislation is pending in
Connecticut.

Two pieces of pro-marijuana legislation are pending in Massachusetts
and have had hearings before the Judiciary Committee and the Public
Health Committee, according to Whitney Taylor, executive director of
the Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts.

She hopes this week's vote in Rhode Island propels the bills
forward.

"It will show the Massachusetts Legislature that not only is it
politically viable to vote and pass a medical marijuana law, but it's
also the right thing to do, from a scientific vantage point, a public
health vantage point, a medical vantage point," said Taylor.

Moore maintains the bills should not be passed, saying research has
not shown smoking marijuana helps medical patients.

However, he said there is research suggesting some of the plant's
ingredients can be curative and that any movement on medical marijuana
should build on that.

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