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R.I. Senate approves marijuana sales to ill patients

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May 15, 2008

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Rhode Island's Senate has approved a bill permitting up to three nonprofit stores to sell marijuana to chronically ill patients registered with the state.

A spokesman for Senate President Joseph Montalbano says the proposal passed Thursday 29-6. It now heads to House lawmakers.

Sen. Rhoda Perry, the bill's sponsor, has said the proposal fixes a loophole in Rhode Island's medical marijuana program.

State lawmakers voted in 2006 to allow chronically ill patients and their caregivers to possess small amounts of marijuana for pain relief. But they never made clear how patients were supposed to buy the drug. It remains illegal under federal law.

More than 700 patients and caregivers are enrolled in the state's medical marijuana program.

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