RI MEDICAL MARIJUANA: Watson says he used marijuana to self-treat medical condition

**If you or a loved one are facing Drug Charges, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, oxycontin, and other prescription drugs, call Attorney Matthew Marin for a FREE CASE EVALUATION and a no non-sense opinion regarding your case.**
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VIA THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
By Katherine Gregg

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - In a deeply personal speech on the House floor about his arrest at a sobriety checkpoint in Connecticut last Friday night, House Minority Leader Robert A. Watson told colleagues Tuesday he has used marijuana to treat flare-ups of the pancreatitis that landed him in the hospital - and a five-day coma - last November.

He said he had taken a small amount of the drug with him when he went to Connecticut that day, to help a friend move, in case he was hit with another debilitating attack.

But, "I didn't smoke marijuana that day," he said, "because I didn't suffer a relapse."

But he also told colleagues that he is not legally authorized to use marijuana, under the state's medical marijuana program because Rhode Island "is a small state," and despite promises of confidentiality he feared his personal medical information would somehow leak out of the state Department of Health.

In his speech, Watson also raised questions about how he was treated by the police in East Haven, Conn., after they learned he was a legislator in Rhode Island. He denied having trouble standing, speaking or following commands, as suggested by the police report.

"I deny that I failed any of the sobriety tests," said Watson, saying he wished there had been cameras there.

He also disputed the "caricature" of him that was depicted in the police report, and said he will challenge that in a legal forum.

But he said he was also aware he will be judged in the court of public opinion.

Watson gave his speech after meeting privately with his fellow House Republicans, who later nodded their heads in assent as he said they had given him their vote of confidence to remain as minority leader.

Rhode Island Drug Lawyer Matthew Marin Announces the DISMISSAL Of Simple Possession of Marijuana and Transportation of Alcohol by a Minor Charges

Attorney Matthew T. Marin announces a recent victory for a client facing the charges of simple possession of marijuana (first offense) and transportation of alcohol by a minor brought by a local police department. If you need assistance or are facing a Rhode Island Drug Charge or other criminal charges, contact Attorney Matthew T. Marin at 401-228-8271 or mm@matthewtmarin.com.

CHARGE:
(1) POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA (FIRST OFFENSE)
(2) TRANSPORTATION OF ALCOHOL BY A MINOR
(3) SPEEDING (21 mph Over the Limit)POLICE REPORT: A local police officer was posted on a stationary traffic radar post when the Client's vehicle approached at a high rate of speed measured by radar at 71 mph in a 50 mph zone. The vehicle was stopped and as the Officer approached he noticed small objects being thrown from the passengers side of the vehicle. At the window, the Officer could detect a strong odor of marijuana emanating from inside the vehicle. All occupants were removed from the vehicle and a subsequent search of the vehicle the Officer located marijuana, a bowl with marijuana residue, beer and a bottle of vodka. The Client, who was operating the vehicle, was arrested and charged with simple possession of marijuana and transportation of alcohol by a minor.
RESULT: ALL CHARGES DISMISSED

For More Information About Our Rhode Island Drug Defense Lawyers Visit Our Website at: http://www.ridrugdefenselawyer.com

New Major Rhode Island Drug Case

**If you or a loved one are facing Rhode Island Drug Charges, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, oxycontin, and other prescription drugs, call Attorney Matthew Marin for a FREE CASE EVALUATION and a no non-sense opinion regarding your case.**
Visit My Website: Rhode Island Drug Defense Lawyer

VIA THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
3 indicted in RI on drug, assault, robbery charges

Friday April 15, 2011
By Tatiana Pina

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence County Grand Jury on Friday indicted William Randolph, 44, of 99 Washington Ave., Providence, with one count of possessing marijuana over five kilograms, one count of possessing marijuana in excess of one kilogram, and two counts of possessing marijuana with intent to deliver.

According to the indictment, Randolph had the drugs in Providence on or about Nov. 2 and Feb. 3. The Rhode Island State Police conducted the investigation.

Also indicted was Louis Calleli, 23, of 242 Burnside Ave., Woonsocket, on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon in a dwelling with intent to murder. According to the indictment, on or about Jan. 25, Calleli used a knife to assault someone in Woonsocket. The Woonsocket Police conducted the investigation.

Also indicted was Richard Garneau, 33, of 18 Centredale Ave., North Providence, on one count of first-degree robbery. Johnston Police had charged Garneau with holding up the Cumberland Farms at 609 Killingly St., Johnston, a few minutes after midnight on Jan. 26. Johnston police Maj. Michael A. Colucci said a man with a knife held up the clerk, getting some cash and a carton of cigarettes.

All three will be arraigned in Providence County Superior Court on May 4.

Unworkable Rhode Island Medical Marijuana System Places the Burden on those the Law was Intended to Benefit

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By Rhode Island Marijuana Defense Lawyer Matthew Marin

April 3rd, 2011

Under our current system, medical marijuana is here to stay in Rhode Island. Instead of debating the merits of medical marijuana, lawmakers should focus on creating a workable legal system that our citizens and law enforcement can both understand and comply with.

According to modern medical research conducted by the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, marijuana has been found to be beneficial in treating or alleviating pain, nausea and other symptoms associated with certain debilitating medical conditions. We need to develop a system that allows those patients in need of marijuana for medical treatment access to marijuana without the fear of prosecution from those enforcing our criminal laws.

Currently, Rhode Island’s Medical Marijuana Act decriminalizes both the possession of small quantities of marijuana and the cultivation of a small number of marijuana plants for those registered patients suffering from debilitating medical conditions. On the other hand, possession of even the smallest amount of marijuana without proper registration under the Act remains a misdemeanor criminal offense carrying up to one year in jail. The police, as is their sworn duty, continue to vigorously investigate, arrest, and prosecute Rhode Island’s criminal marijuana laws.

The problem with our current system it makes accurate enforcement nearly impossible. Due to Federal HIPAA privacy laws, in most cases the police are unable to determine whether a suspect is a registered patient under the Act prior to their investigation and arrest. Therefore, the system places the burden of asserting the medical use of marijuana on those who have already been charged with a criminal marijuana offense. These individuals, already suffering from debilitating medical conditions, are forced to hire counsel to assert their rights under the statute. They are subjected to the stigma of a formal arrest and criminal court proceedings. And at a minimum, a black mark is placed on their official criminal backgrounds while the case proceeds through the system.

So while our lawmakers’ debate the pro’s and con’s of legalized marijuana, they should take time to consider how those laws will impact the lives of those they are seeking to help. Without changes in enforcement under the current law, the heavy burden of asserting the beneficial medicinal use marijuana will continue to fall on those citizens the law is intended to assist.

**For More Information on Rhode Island's Marijuana Laws visit our Website or call 24/7 at 401-228-8271**