Come to the State House this afternoon at 3pm to let the House of Representatives know you want a vote on the Compassion Center bill. This bill would allow the Department of Health to establish and regulate a dispensary to grow and distribute medical marijuana to patients and their caregivers. Patients need safe access to medical marijuana and, according to RIPAC executive director Jesse Stout, most state reps have already indicated support. Get over to the State House on Smith Street in Providence at 3pm Wednesday afternoon to help lobby for a Compassion Center, and bring as many friends/family/neighbors as you can. Remember, you may need this someday, so help now. For more information call RIPAC at 861-1601.

Check out the June issue of Providence Monthly (no reading it online, you must pick up a hard copy) for a piece on the Compassion Center Bill currently working its way through the RI legislature. Spearheading this effort is RIPAC executive director, Jesse Stout (seen here speaking at last year’s annual NORML convention). The bill would address the problem of safe access to medical marijuana for the patients and caregivers who are now legally allowed (under RI law anyway) to possess it. The new law would “direct the Department of Health to license and regulate a nonprofit distribution center, providing patients with a safe and reliable source of quality, affordable marijuana”.

The article is written by the always cuddly John Taraborelli, who may or may not be responsible for the photo caption identifying Mr. Stout as “The Mariju-Warrior”. (Did he say “ju”? I distinctly heard him say “ju”.)

To help support this initiative, go to RIPAC. Also read Mr. Stout’s June 2nd Pro-Jo op-ed piece.

Legislators and advocates seeking to expand the medical marijuana law to include the creation of marijuana dispensaries, or Compassion Centers, found “little support for this legislation at this time” after yesterday’s hearing before the House Health, Education and Welfare Committee. Democrat Thomas C. Slater, speaking to the Providence Journal, further stated “If I can’t get a commitment from the committee to pass the bill, I think it would be a good idea to form a commission to study it.” Testifying yesterday were Jesse Stout, executive director of RIPAC, the medical marijuana advocacy coalition, and Dr. David Lewis of Brown University. The legislation is expected to be approved by the Senate committee today, and sent on to a full vote on the Senate floor. Make sure that your representatives know where you stand on this issue.

Jesse Stout, Executive Director of RIPAC, the medical marijuana advocacy coalition, encourages all interested parties to attend today’s hearing at the State House to show support for the patients, doctors and experts testifying in front of the Senate’s Health and Human Services committee in favor of the ‘Compassion Center Bill’. Under this bill a non-profit organization would be licensed to grow and distribute marijuana to patients. And please remember the formality of the setting, seen here speaking at the 2007 National NORML Convention, Mr. Stout suggests “If you’re coming, please dress up a little — I’ll be in a suit, but as long as you’re not wearing jeans or sneakers you’ll be fine.” Call the RIPAC office (401.861.1601) with any questions.

Wednesday/4:15PM/room 212 State House/Smith Street/parking across the street in Dept. of Health lot

RIPAC will hold a Community Meeting Tuesday at 7pm, at AIDS Project RI, located at 232 West Exchange Street, Providence. All Rhode Islanders — patients, caregivers, advocates, and residents — are invited to come together to discuss the RI Medical Marijuana Program and share information and experiences.

The difficulties facing licensed patients and caregivers in procuring marijuana were addressed last month in the Phoenix as well as a sympathetic editorial in the Providence Journal.

RIPAC Executive Director, Jesse Stout, reports that on February 26, twin bills were introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly by House Representative Tom Slater and Senator Rhoda Perry that would regulate distribution of medical marijuana by allowing a non-profit Compassion Center, an independent state-regulated facility, to distribute medical marijuana to Rhode Island’s licensed patients. Let your reps know you support these medical marijuana initiatives.

RIPAC will hold a community meeting tonight for patients, caregivers and advocates to discuss the RI Medical Marijuana Program and meet like-minded people. (The next RIPAC cardholder meeting, for licensed patients and caregivers only, will be Tuesday, February 26, at 7pm. Location TBA)

Tuesday/6:30 - 8:00PM/ 441 Prairie Avenue, Providence

For more information contact: Jesse Stout, Executive Director
RI Patient Advocacy Coalition
145 Wayland Avenue
Providence, RI 02906
Phone: 401-861-1601
jstout@ripatients.org