FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2010
Rhode Island House Members Introduce Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana
Bill would decriminalize the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and substitute a civil penalty of $150
CONTACT: Kurt A. Gardinier, MPP director of communications …… 202-905-0738 or kgardinier@mpp.org
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND —A bill to decriminalize the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and substitute a civil penalty of $150 was introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives yesterday. H 7317, a bipartisan bill was co-sponsored by 35 House members and has been referred to the House Judiciary committee. The Rhode Island State Senate is likely to introduce their version of the bill later this week. If the bill becomes law, Rhode Island would join their neighboring state to the north, Massachusetts, and become the 14th state to pass a law to decriminalize marijuana. In 2008, Massachusetts voters passed a similar decriminalization law with 65% of the vote.
“Rhode Island lawmakers should be applauded for their support of this bill that will save the state much needed money and resources by not arresting, prosecuting, sentencing and incarcerating marijuana users,” said Karen O’Keefe, MPP director of state policies. “We look forward to the day when the citizens of this state no longer have to fear being handcuffed and thrown in jail for using a substance far safer than alcohol.”
The entire text of the bill can be read at:
www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext10/housetext10/h7317.pdf
With more than 29,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit www.mpp.org.
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Help needed
As a certified/permaculture graduate/ environmental specialist, a Member of the first federal industrial Hemp bank and Cannabis distribution Network, (Federal Taxes were paid on our plants).. And a Medical Marijuana patient, (though NJ did NOT yet recognize such documentation), June 2007 my garden was raided/destroyed by Local's while State & federal officers were present. I don't think I got a fair trial, I believe my attorney coerced me into trusting his advice as far as accepting 364 days in the county Jail with 2 yrs probation He alluded to somehow being able to be switch my probation to California, I served Jail time, from October 2007 to July 2008, met with Probation August to November 2008, when HOMELESS in the NJ snow became unbearable.. NO help from Probation/Or the social worker sent out..and I made attempts to contact my Probation officer once I was in California, Unaware Probation is not allowed internet communication, it was all I had.. the failure to show for Probation has had a warrant issued, Feb 2009 (Already I know they will NOT extradite me back to NJ), I've NO funds to get back to NJ to sit in their JAIL some more..I applied for a pardon Via recent left office Governor Corzine. that was DENIED as of Last week.. 7 months I waited to hear, as this has stopped my Social security disability insurance. I have had NO income since July 2009, I am a DISABLED VETERAN who Feb 16th Will slide into my 50th Birthday HOMELESS and Pennie-less. I am NOT feeling the "greatful Nation" at all. I am being made a criminal for what for me meant LIFE or Death.. A strictly female condition, I lived 12 years CRIPPLED by; that the Veterans hospital Failed to diagnose. Once diagnosed, (my uterus was growing in to my stomach wall causing Monthly bleeding so heavy gallons a day were lost for 3 straight days, each and every month). The pain, I kept trying to relate to the Veteran Hospital Doctors was always Above, the "10" depicting range on the Chart at the hospital, I was informed once diagnosed that the PAIN I endured monthly, was like that of one withdrawing from Heroin.. while ALL THOSE years, Pamprin/midol was suggested? I could NOT figure how the rest of the world of women lived, not realizing how Abnormal my suffering was. I even believed we Each should be allowed our own Morphine packs in house for such occasions. Post diagnoses, but prior to Corrective surgery. The Oxycontin I was prescribed via the Veterans hospital would have damaged my liver & addicted me. I do NOT see HOW this is not GENDER discrimination. My Right to LIFE has been violated via the State of NJ and my Lawyer, bill Buckman is now the executive director of NJnorml.. I don't get it.. WHY is this Plant we MOST need NOW still being yammered over & deliberated over.. I am calling for a Revolution and I mean NOW.. WOMEN for economic reasons need to be growing and using Hemp as a building material, No one does NOT benefit from it's growing except the Industries enslaving and destroying lives, petro/alcohol/pharmaceutical/cotton/tobacco/Paper..we have it ALL all we have to do is grow it. WHAT is this mother may I shit? Any help any answers, It's been a long hard impossible road..