LEGISLATORS BELIEVE THEY HAVE VOTES TO OVERRIDE MEDICAL MARIJUANA VETO

Providence -- The governor on Wednesday vetoed a medical marijuana
bill that enjoyed strong support in both chambers of the General
Assembly. The bill would protect from prosecution seriously ill
people who had a doctor's recommendation that marijuana could help
them. Gov. Don Carcieri said the bill is flawed and could encourage
marijuana abuse. He also said it would give Rhode Islanders a false
sense of security, since medical marijuana use would remain illegal
under federal statutes. Legislators believe they have the votes to
override a veto. Bill supporters said while medical marijuana would
still be illegal under federal law, most marijuana possession
prosecutions happen under state law.