Friday, September 30, 2011

RI MEDICAL MARIJUANA NEWS: Governor scraps medical marijuana plan for Rhode Island

**If the police have charged you or a loved one with a drug charged related to your possession, cultivation, or possession with intent to deliver marijuana call me today for a free consultation. I have handled cases statewide involving charges stemming from the possession, distribution and cultivation of marijuana. Call me now for a FREE CASE EVALUATION and a no non-sense opinion regarding your case.**

VIA REUTERS
By Zach Howard

State-run medical marijuana dispensaries will not be coming to Rhode Island after Governor Lincoln Chafee scrapped the plan for fear it was illegal under federal law.

Chafee, who had earlier vowed support for the measure, said he decided the state's planned dispensaries could violate superseding federal law and become a target of federal law enforcement efforts.

"Federal injunctions, seizures, forfeitures, arrests and prosecutions will only hurt the patients and caregivers that our law was designed to protect," the governor said in the statement late Thursday.

Before his reversal, Chafee had hoped to implement a 2009 law passed by Rhode Island's General Assembly allowing marijuana distribution through three state-run, so-called "compassion centers."

The measure authorized growing and selling marijuana to patients with debilitating illnesses, such as cancer, AIDS, and glaucoma.

Currently, 16 states and the District of Columbia allow the drug for medical use.

One of them is Montana, where in March federal agents raided state-sanctioned medical marijuana greenhouses and dispensaries in several cities, prompting an outcry from legalized pot suppliers. The busts, the first since Montana legalized marijuana for medical purposes in 2004, appeared to mark a reversal of federal policy set in 2009 that tolerated state-approved dispensaries.

Threatening a similar crackdown in Rhode Island, both the U.S. Department of Justice and Rhode Island's U.S. Attorney, Peter Neronha, this year said commercial operations such as the state-run dispensaries would be potential targets of "vigorous" criminal and civil enforcement efforts by the federal government.

Dropping the dispensary plan means that patients in Rhode Island will have to continue to grow their own marijuana, buy the drug illegally from "street" dealers, or acquire it from over 2,500 licensed caregivers in the state. Many have said they would prefer to use dispensaries for a convenient, safe, regulated option for quality marijuana.

Medical marijuana advocates decried Chafee's decision.

"We are shocked, outraged and really hurt all at the same time," JoAnne Leppanen, executive director of Providence-based Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition, told Reuters.

Keith Stroup, legal counsel with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML, a Washington, D.C.-based marijuana smoker's lobby, said his group was disappointed with Chafee's action.

"He's using the threat of federal enforcement somehow coming into the state as a justification to refuse to implement the medical marijuana dispensary provisions that previously have been approved," he said.

But long-time opponents including state Representative Doreen Costa cheered the plan's demise.

"I am very happy that he did that," said Costa, a Republican, who said some of her constituents did not want a dispensary in their district.

"Mainly the concern was, in the state of Rhode Island, marijuana is illegal, period. So if he wanted to open up the compassion centers, people would go buy the marijuana and I know they would be selling it on the street," Costa said.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

RECENT MARIJUANA CASE: R.I. man charged in N.Y. with drug possession

**If the police have charged you or a loved one with a drug charged related to your possession, cultivation, or possession with intent to deliver marijuana call me today for a free consultation. I have handled cases statewide involving charges stemming from the possession, distribution and cultivation of marijuana. Call me now for a FREE CASE EVALUATION and a no non-sense opinion regarding your case.**

VIA THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL ONLINE BLOG

HARRISON, N.Y. -- A Rhode Island man has been charged with possessing about 6.5 pounds of marijuana, according to the news website lohud.com.

Tron R. Griffith, 21, of Woonsocket, was arrested Wednesday, the website said.

The police said they found six large plastic bags of marijuana on the floor.

Griffith was released on $2,000 bail and is to appear Tuesday in Town Court.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

RI Shoplifting Lawyer Matthew T. Marin Announces the DISMISSAL of Shoplifting Charges

Attorney Matthew T. Marin announces a recent victory for a client facing a Rhode Island Shoplifting Charge. If you need assistance or are facing RI Shoplifting Charges, contact Attorney Matthew T. Marin at 401-228-8271 or mm@matthewtmarin.com.
CHARGES: MISDEMEANOR SHOPLIFTINGPOLICE REPORT: Police responded to a local store for a report of shoplifting. Upon arrival, the Police discovered that loss prevention had detained the Client after they witnessed the Client and her companion select and conceal an assortment of merchandise. The Client and her companion then exited the store without paying for the concealed merchandise. The Police then arrested the client and charged her with misdemeanor shoplifting (first offense).
RESULT: DISMISSED
For More Information On Rhode Island Shoplifting Defense Visit Our Website at: https://www.matthewtmarin.com/rhode-island-shoplifting-laws

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Rhode Island DUI Lawyer Matthew T. Marin Announces A Not Guilty Verdict for A Client Facing A Charge of Driving Under the Influence

Attorney Matthew T. Marin announces a NOT GUILTY VERDICT for a client facing the charge of Driving Under the Influence with blood alcohol content results over 0.15. If you need assistance or are facing Rhode Island Drunk Driving or Breathalyzer Refusal Charges, contact Attorney Matthew T. Marin at 401-228-8271 or mm@matthewtmarin.com.

CHARGE: DUI - Driving Under the Influence (Blood Alcohol Content Over 0.15)
POLICE REPORT:
The Police on routine patrol observed the Client make an abrupt u-turn without using a turn signal. The Police, after observing the u-turn, began following the vehicle. The Police observed the vehicle cross over the double yellow lines while traveling. At this point, the Police initiated a motor vehicle stop. Upon speaking with the Client, the Police immediately detected an odor of alcohol emanating from the Client's breath and observed his eyes to be bloodshot, watery, and droopy. The Client then performed three standardized field sobriety tests, failing each test. The Police then requested that the Client submit to a preliminary breath test, to which he consented. The Client blood alcohol content was estimated at 0.158 on the preliminary breath test. The Client was then placed under arrest and transported to the police station. At the station, the Police requested that he submit to a chemical test to which he consented. The Client's blood aclohol content at the station registered at 0.150 and 0.154. The Client was then charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with readings over 0.15.
RESULT: NOT GUILTY AFTER TRIAL on September 6th, 2011
For More Information About Our Rhode Island Drunk Driving Defense Lawyers Visit Our Website at: https://www.matthewtmarin.com/rhode-island-dui-lawyer

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

RHODE ISLAND DRUG & WEAPONS CASE: 15-year sentence given in drugs, weapons case

**If the police have charged you or a loved one with a drug charged related to your possession, cultivation, or possession with intent to deliver marijuana call me today for a free consultation. I have handled cases statewide involving charges stemming from the possession, distribution and cultivation of marijuana. Call me now for a FREE CASE EVALUATION and a no non-sense opinion regarding your case.**

VIA THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL ONLINE

By Thomas J. Morgan

PROVIDENCE, R.I. _ A North Smithfield man who injured two police officers as they awaited a search warrant to search the man's apartment for drugs and firearms, breaking the hand of one of them, has been sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha said Wednesday.

Wayne Simon, 36, pleaded guilty in May 2011 to a four-count federal indictment charging him with possessing cocaine and oxycodone with the intent to distribute, possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute, and with being a felon in possession of ammunition, Neronha said in a news release.

Simon's sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi.

According to court documents and information presented to the court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert, on Nov. 55, 2010, North Smithfield police obtained a search warrant to search Simon's residence based on information developed by detectives regarding Simon's cocaine and marijuana trafficking, and his possession and use of firearms. Officers secured Simon's residence while awaiting the arrival of detectives with the search warrant.

As they waited, Simon arrived and attempted to force his way past the officers to enter his residence. When officers attempted to stop him, Simon violently resisted the officers; Neronha said. The defendant injured two officers before he was eventually subdued. One of the officers suffered a broken hand, requiring surgery.

A search of Simon's residence resulted in the confiscation of 327 grams of cocaine, 2,244 grams of marijuana, 353 oxycodone pills, a quantity of the drug ecstasy, and numerous other pills. Detectives also found packaging material, ledgers, 5 scales, 37 rounds of Federal .22 caliber ammunition, 5 rounds of Remington 9 mm ammunition, and 10 rounds of El Dorado Cartridge Corporation 9mm ammunition. Detectives also found a safe containing $29,100, which was the proceeds of drug trafficking.

Simon has been detained since his arrest.