Good News Bad News -- Rhode Island & South Carolina
Posted: Sat 16th Jun 2007 06:37 am
Been so busy recently I have barely had time to stop in and take a quick glance around the site but here is some recent legalization news.
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Rhode Island first :
PROVIDENCE - As expected, Governor Carcieri yesterday vetoed medical marijuana legislation. And Democratic House leader Gordon Fox said he believes state lawmakers will override that veto.
"I support efforts to provide effective pain management to persons suffering from debilitating conditions, but not in a way that violates federal law and ignores the drug approval process as established by the Food and Drug Administration," Carcieri, a Republican, said in his veto message.
He said the legislation "could potentially subject Rhode Islanders to federal prosecution, while significantly complicating the responsibilities of state and local law enforcement officials."
But last month, 51 of 75 House members endorsed the measure. Forty-five votes, or three-fifths, are required to overturn a veto.
The bill, known as the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act, calls for permanently extending the medical marijuana law, which was due to expire this year under a sunset clause.
"I fully expect that we will place a vote to override the governor's medical marijuana veto on the floor calendar before the end of our session," Fox said in a statement anticipating the veto. A prior vote on the bill "made it clear that there is an overwhelming majority in the House willing to remove the sunset clause on this compassionate legislation."
A patient diagnosed as having a debilitating medical condition would be allowed to possess up to 12 marijuana plants and 2.5 ounces of marijuana. An adult who has agreed to help an ill person's medical use of marijuana - a caregiver - could have 12 plants and 2.5 ounces of marijuana for each of up to five qualified patients.
http://www.mapinc.org/norml/v07/n682/a07.htm?134
***Wonder how the good Gov would feel if it was him or a loved one***
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South Carolina:
I don't have a link for this one but will copy my e-mail..............
Dear NORML Supporter:
NORML is writing you today with good news and bad news regarding Senate Bill 220. First the bad news. Despite a successful hearing earlier this year, the South Carolina Senate Committee on Medical Affairs ultimately failed to vote on Senate Bill 220 -- which sought to legalize the use of medicinal cannabis by authorized patients.
However, the good news is that this bill will remain before the Committee when the legislature reconvenes next year, and we hope to build on this year's momentum and successfully enact legislation to protect patients in South Carolina in 2008.
Please take two minutes of your time today to contact the following Senators and urge them to stand up for the rights of South Carolina's patients in 2008 by supporting Senate Bill 220.
-- Sen. William Hayes, chairman, Senate Subcommittee on medical marijuana: set@scsenate.org (803) 212-6410
-- Sen. Darrell Jackson, Senate subcommittee on medical marijuana: DJ1@scsenate.org (803) 212-6048
-- Sen. Kevin Bryant, member, Senate subcommittee on medical marijuana: BRYANTK@scsenate.org (803) 212-6024
-- Sen. Harvey Peeler, chairman, Senate Committee on Medical Affairs: MED@scsenate.org (803) 212-6430
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Needless to say the war continues and the casualties are the sick and the dying and the bodies keep piling up every year..........when does the madness end ?
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Rhode Island first :
PROVIDENCE - As expected, Governor Carcieri yesterday vetoed medical marijuana legislation. And Democratic House leader Gordon Fox said he believes state lawmakers will override that veto.
"I support efforts to provide effective pain management to persons suffering from debilitating conditions, but not in a way that violates federal law and ignores the drug approval process as established by the Food and Drug Administration," Carcieri, a Republican, said in his veto message.
He said the legislation "could potentially subject Rhode Islanders to federal prosecution, while significantly complicating the responsibilities of state and local law enforcement officials."
But last month, 51 of 75 House members endorsed the measure. Forty-five votes, or three-fifths, are required to overturn a veto.
The bill, known as the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act, calls for permanently extending the medical marijuana law, which was due to expire this year under a sunset clause.
"I fully expect that we will place a vote to override the governor's medical marijuana veto on the floor calendar before the end of our session," Fox said in a statement anticipating the veto. A prior vote on the bill "made it clear that there is an overwhelming majority in the House willing to remove the sunset clause on this compassionate legislation."
A patient diagnosed as having a debilitating medical condition would be allowed to possess up to 12 marijuana plants and 2.5 ounces of marijuana. An adult who has agreed to help an ill person's medical use of marijuana - a caregiver - could have 12 plants and 2.5 ounces of marijuana for each of up to five qualified patients.
http://www.mapinc.org/norml/v07/n682/a07.htm?134
***Wonder how the good Gov would feel if it was him or a loved one***
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South Carolina:
I don't have a link for this one but will copy my e-mail..............
Dear NORML Supporter:
NORML is writing you today with good news and bad news regarding Senate Bill 220. First the bad news. Despite a successful hearing earlier this year, the South Carolina Senate Committee on Medical Affairs ultimately failed to vote on Senate Bill 220 -- which sought to legalize the use of medicinal cannabis by authorized patients.
However, the good news is that this bill will remain before the Committee when the legislature reconvenes next year, and we hope to build on this year's momentum and successfully enact legislation to protect patients in South Carolina in 2008.
Please take two minutes of your time today to contact the following Senators and urge them to stand up for the rights of South Carolina's patients in 2008 by supporting Senate Bill 220.
-- Sen. William Hayes, chairman, Senate Subcommittee on medical marijuana: set@scsenate.org (803) 212-6410
-- Sen. Darrell Jackson, Senate subcommittee on medical marijuana: DJ1@scsenate.org (803) 212-6048
-- Sen. Kevin Bryant, member, Senate subcommittee on medical marijuana: BRYANTK@scsenate.org (803) 212-6024
-- Sen. Harvey Peeler, chairman, Senate Committee on Medical Affairs: MED@scsenate.org (803) 212-6430
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Needless to say the war continues and the casualties are the sick and the dying and the bodies keep piling up every year..........when does the madness end ?
