Today the House Judiciary Committee met at the Rhode Island State House to consider 10 new marijuana-related bills. Some of the bills aim to legalize marijuana for medical use while others aim to legalize it for recreational use.
Included in the group of bills are:
- A change to legalize recreational use of marijuana for those over the age of 21
- Requests to regulate and tax marijuana for personal use
- A bill to add post-traumatic stress disorder as a debilitating medical condition and fast-track medical marijuana applications for hospice care.
- Increase the number of permits for medical marijuana compassion centers from three permits to six
Additionally, these bills also aim to bar employers from denying employment or terminating an employee based on the use of medical marijuana.
Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Law
Today, medical marijuana is legal in the State of Rhode Island for the following qualifying conditions:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Chronic Pain
- Crohn’s disease
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- HIV/AIDs
- Nausea
- Persistent muscle spasms
- Seizures
Currently, patients with a medical marijuana card are legally permitted to carry two and a half ounces on them. They are also permitted to cultivate up to 12 plants and 12 seedlings, as long as the plants are indoors.
Personal Use of Marijuana in Rhode Island
In the state of Rhode Island, possession of marijuana for personal use is still illegal. Currently, penalties for possession of marijuana range anywhere from a $150 civil fine for possession of less than 1oz to 10 years in prison for felony possession of marijuana.
Have You Been Charged with Possession?
If you’ve been charged with marijuana possession, you need to take these charges seriously. While many supporters of the new marijuana bills are hopeful they will pass, the law still views possession as a crime and you could face fines or incarceration for unlawful possession of marijuana. If you’ve been charged with these crimes, it is in your best interess to seek the legal counsel of a Rhode Island drug attorney.
Abilheira Law, LLC can fight for you – Contact us today.
Criminal defense attorney Allison C. (Belknap) Abilheira serves clients with dedication and skill in Warren, Providence, and the surrounding areas in Rhode Island. Attorney Abilheira practices law in Rhode Island, the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and in Massachusetts.
Loading...