STATE LEGALIZES MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Providence, R.I.

Rhode Island on Tuesday became the 11th state to legalize medical
marijuana and the first since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June
that patients who use the drug can still be prosecuted under federal
law.

The House overrode a veto by Gov. Don Carcieri, 59-13, allowing people
with illnesses such as cancer and AIDS to grow up to 12 marijuana
plants or buy 2.5 ounces of marijuana to relieve their symptoms. Those
who do are required to register with the state and get an
identification card.

The U.S. high court ruled June 6 that people who smoke marijuana
because their doctors recommend it can still be prosecuted under
federal drug laws. Federal authorities, however, have conceded they
are unlikely to prosecute many medicinal-marijuana users.