RHODE ISLAND GOVERNOR VETOES MEDICAL MARIJUANA MEASURE

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - 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 have enough votes to override the
governor.

In his veto message, Carcieri said the bill is flawed and could encourage
marijuana abuse. ``This bill will increase the availability of marijuana on
the streets of our state,'' he said.

The Republican also noted that medical marijuana use would remain illegal
under federal statues.

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 bill would protect from prosecution seriously ill people who had a
doctor's recommendation that marijuana could help them.