Rhode Island high
In June, Rhode Island became the first state on the East Coast to legalize the sale of marijuana to chronically ill patients, according to the Associated Press (AP). The state legislature voted by a large margin to override Gov. Don Carcieri’s veto of the law, despite the governor’s protests that the law would put people in danger of federal prosecution, encourage illegal drug use and send conflicting messages to children. Supporters of the law, however, say it is a great benefit to residents suffering from serious illness. “This gives a safe haven for those who have to go into the seedy areas to try and get marijuana,” said state Rep. Thomas Slater, who suffers from cancer and plans to smoke the drug for pain relief. Thirteen states have legalized medical marijuana, and similar laws are under consideration in Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, according to AP.
