R.I. HOUSE PASSES MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL

Providence A bill that would allow patients with serious diseases to smoke
and grow marijuana continued its advance through the General Assembly,
winning overwhelming support from House lawmakers Wednesday.

Qualifying patients suffering from diseases like cancer, AIDS and Hepatitis
C would be shielded from arrest and prosecution under the bill, which
passed 52-10. Their doctors and physicians also would be protected.

Rhode Island would become the 11th state to authorize the medical use of
marijuana, according to the legislation.

If approved, the bill could put the state at odds with the U.S. Supreme
Court, which ruled earlier this month that medical marijuana users can be
prosecuted under federal law even if their home states allow use of the drug.

Under the bill, patients would be able to possess up to 12 marijuana plants
or 2 1/2 ounces of usable marijuana under the legislation.

Supporters say the bill provides a compassionate way to ease the pain of
the seriously ill. But some raised concerns over how patients would access
marijuana and questioned a provision allowing people to grow the drug in
their homes.

"For me, it has always been a matter of compassion simple compassion," said
Rep. Steven Costantino, D-Providence. "And I've always been amused by the
fear that this is going to cause all of a sudden an out-of-control use of
marijuana."

Added House Minority Leader Robert A. Watson, who voted for the bill: "We
live in a pharmaceutically enhanced society whether that's good, bad or
indifferent. It's a fact of life."

Gov. Don Carcieri has threatened to veto the legislation. But Rep. Thomas
Slater, the bill's main sponsor, said he was confident that the bill had
enough votes to override a veto.

"We hope that the governor realizes that the people of Rhode Island support
this bill," said Slater, D-Providence.

The medical marijuana act was named for state Sen. Rhoda Perry's nephew,
the late Edward O. Hawkins, who died of complications from AIDS and lymphoma.

Perry is the sponsor of an equivalent Senate bill, which passed that
chamber, 34 to 2, two weeks ago.

House Majority Leader Gordon Fox introduced an amendment to add Slater's
name to the title of the legislation, citing his tireless efforts
advocating for people in need.