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Medical Cannabis Telephone FlashMob!

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“Having a medical marijuana program means little if the state makes it impossible for all but the wealthy to actually participate in it. The patients and caregivers affected by this proposal grow medical marijuana to ease their symptoms and to help others; they are not running a lucrative drug trade. The state should treat them just as they would any other patient using legal medication. Imagine charging sick patients prescribed codeine a special tax based on the street value of the medication if they illegally sold it. We fervently hope the Governor will take this troubling tax proposal off the table.” Steven Brown - Executive Director Rhode Island ACLU
​

“This is a draconian proposal based on fictional numbers that undermines the purpose of the medical marijuana program. It will wreak havoc on the lives and health of thousands of Rhode Islanders.”  JoAnne Leppanen RIPAC

Members of the Rhode Island Medical Cannabis Community are supporting and promoting a massive call-in campaign to officials across the State of Rhode Island to firmly state that we will not tolerate the extreme, regressive taxation of a life-saving drug. In the spirit of civil disobedience and peaceful protest, we are asking Rhode Islanders to flood the switchboards of the Statehouse, House & Senate Leadership, as well as your local State Representatives and Senators.

Below, you will find a short script, a schedule, a list  of phone numbers, and a link that will guide you  to the contact information for your representatives in the General Assembly. We are asking that you stick to the schedule, so as to flood state switchboards and email servers to the point of SHUTTING THEM DOWN!

This Phone Call Might Be Your Only Opportunity To "Vote" On The Taxation Of Medical Cannabis

Here's the windup:
​
On Monday, from 2- 4:00 pm,  call House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello's office at (401) 222-2466 
On Tuesday, from 2- 4:00 pm, call  RI House Finance Chairman Raymond Gallison's office at (508) 677-4235
On Wednesday from 2-4:00 pm, Call Senate Finance Chairman Daniel DaPonte at (401) 276-5584
On Thursday & Friday from 2-4:00 pm., call members of the House Finance Committee. Their numbers are below.

Here's the pitch:

"Hello, my  name is (your name), and I am a resident of (your city/town) and I am completely opposed to to the taxation of medical cannabis.
 
The safe, legal, & affordable availability of Medical Cannabis is a crucial element of both the health and quality of life of myself, and my family. Prescription drugs are not taxed.  Nor should Medical Cannabis. This is a litmus test. Should you choose to vote for any legislation that enables the taxation of Medical Cannabis in Rhode Island, I will feel compelled not only to vote against you, but actively work against your re-election.

Thank you."

We ask that you make these calls every week until we, the people of Rhode Island, get a definitive, "No!" from our state's leaders on the taxation of medical cannabis ...

Please comment below, and SHARE THIS PAGE on your Facebook timeline and on Twitter. Get updates on Facebook, and www.CoalitionRadio.us

Call Your State Representative & State Senator! Not Sure Who They Are? Click Here: https://sos.ri.gov/vic/
Rhode Island House Of Representatives

D       Representative                                   Phone Number
1       Rep. Edith H. Ajello                          (401) 274-7078
2       Rep. Christopher R. Blazejewski       (401) 484-8814
3       Rep. Thomas A. Palangio                  (401) 248-8877
4       Rep. J. Aaron Regunberg                   (401) 263-7770
5       Rep. John J. DeSimone                       (401) 351-7373
6       Rep. Raymond A. Hull                        (401) 272-4026
7       Rep. Daniel P. McKiernan                   (401) 301-8678
8       Rep. John Joseph Lombardi                (401) 453-3900
9       Rep. Anastasia Williams                     (401) 272-8135
10     Rep. Scott Slater                                 (401) 741-7641
11     Rep. Grace Diaz                                   (401) 467-8413
12     Rep. Joseph S. Almeida                        (401) 467-7033
​13     Rep. John M. Carnevale                        (401) 274-1353
14     Rep. Charlene Lima                              (401) 946-5707
15     Rep. Nicholas A. Mattiello                    (401) 222-2466 
16     Rep. Robert B. Lancia                           (401) 222-2259 
17     Rep. Robert B. Jacquard                        (401) 943-7799
18     Rep. Arthur Handy                                 (401) 785-8996
19     Rep. Joseph M. McNamara                     (401) 941-8319
20     Rep. David A. Bennett                            (401) 648-1711
21     Rep. Eileen S. Naughton                        (401) 738-7928
22     Rep. Joseph J. Solomon, Jr.                     (401) 308-3904
23     Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi                       (401) 827-0100
24     Rep. Joseph A. Trillo                              (401) 826-9100
25     Rep. Jared R. Nunes                               (401) 821-8693 
26     Rep. Patricia L. Morgan                          (401) 222-2259 
27     Rep. Patricia A. Serpa                             (401) 828-5687
28     Rep. Robert A. Nardolillo                        (401) 222-2259
29     Rep. Sherry Roberts                                (401) 222-2259
30     Rep. Antonio Giarrusso                            (401) 415-5390
31     Rep. Doreen Marie Costa                         (401) 206-6891
32     Rep. Robert E. Craven, Sr.                        (401) 294-2222
33     Rep.  Carol H. McEntee                            (401) 783-1000
34     Rep. Teresa Ann Tanzi                             (401) 527-9468
35     Rep. Kathleen A. Fogarty                         (401) 782-1919
36     Rep. Blake A. Filippi                                 (401) 222-2466
37     Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro                           (401) 596-1434
38     Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy                       (401) 377-8818
39     Rep. Justin Price                                        (401) 222-2259
40     Rep. Michael W. Chippendale                    (401) 497-4495
41     Rep. Michael J. Marcello                             (401) 647-5905
42     Rep. Stephen R. Ucci                                 (401) 934-2121
43     Rep. Deborah A. Fellela                             (401) 231-2014
44     Rep.Gregory J. Costantino                          (401) 426-0284
45     Rep. Mia Ackerman                                    (401) 658-0981
46     Rep. Jeremiah T. O'Grady                            (401) 725-7163
47     Rep. Cale P. Keable                                     (401) 222-2258
48     Rep. Brian C. Newberry                                (401) 222-2259
49     Rep. Michael A. Morin                                  (401) 265-0910
50     Rep. Stephen M. Casey                                 (508) 942-0484
51     Rep. Robert D. Phillips                                    (401) 762-2010
52     Rep. Karen L. MacBeth                                    (401) 333-5398
53     Rep. Thomas Winfield                                     (401) 949-3356
54     Rep. William W. O'Brien                                   (401) 440-4063
55     Rep. Arthur J. Corvese                                       (401) 353-8695
56     Rep. Shelby Maldonado                                    (401) 340-8833
57     Rep. James N. McLaughlin                                 (401) 333-4946
58     Rep. Carlos E. Tobon                                          (401) 365-4063
59     Rep. Jean Philippe Barros                                   (401) 4751579
60     Rep.David A. Coughlin, Jr.                                 (401) 723-2670
61     Rep. Raymond H. Johnston, Jr.                           (401) 288-7248
62     Rep. Mary D. Messier                                         (401) 728-1682
63     Rep. Katherine S. Kazarian                                (401) 438-1718
64     Rep. Helio Melo                                                 (401) 435-0546
65     Rep. Gregg Amore                                              (401) 339-9378
66     Rep. Joy Hearn                                                   (401) 247-9867
67     Rep. Jan Malik                                                    (401) 247-1271
68     Rep. Kenneth A. Marshall                                  (401) 254-1377
69     Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr.                              (508) 677-4235
70     Rep. John G. Edwards                                         (401) 624-8879
71     Rep. Dennis M. Canario                                     (401) 683-4926
72     Rep. Daniel P. Reilly                                          (401) 222-2259
3       Rep. Marvin L. Abney                                         (401) 487-1380
74     Rep. Deborah Ruggiero                                     (401) 423-0444
75     Rep. Lauren H. Carson                                       (401) 523-1143
Rhode Island Senate

D
​1     Sen. Maryellen Goodwin(401) 272-3102
2     Sen. Juan Pichardo(401) 461-2389
3     Sen. Gayle Goldin(401) 340-5050
4     Sen. Dominick J. Ruggerio(401) 222-3310
5     Sen. Paul Jabour(401) 751-3300 
6     Sen. Harold Metts(401) 272-0112
7     Sen. Frank Ciccone(401) 275-0949
8     Sen. James Doyle II(401) 729-9988
9     Sen. Adam Satchell(401) 615-5170 
10   Sen. Walter Felag(401) 245-7521
11   Sen. John Pagliarini  (401) 529-7599 
12   Sen. Louis DiPalma(401) 847-8540
13   Sen. M. Teresa Paiva-Weed(401) 222-6655
14   Sen. Daniel Da Ponte(401) 276-5584
15   Sen. Donna Nesselbush(401) 728-3244
16   Sen. Elizabeth Crowley   (401) 725-8526
17   Sen. Edward J. O'Neill     (401) 728-3295
18   Sen. William Conley, Jr.   (401) 438-1924
19   Sen. Ryan W. Pearson      (401) 276-5594
20   Sen. Roger Picard             (401)769-4902
21   Sen. Nicholas Kettle         (401) 473-7784 
22   Sen. Stephen Archambault(401) 276-5599
23   Sen. Paul Fogarty             (401) 949-0895
24   Sen. Marc Cote                 (401) 765-3360 
25   Sen. Frank Lombardo        (401) 270-1379
26   Sen. Frank Lombardi         (401) 453-3900
27   Sen. Hanna Gallo               (401) 942-8566
28   Sen. Joshua Miller              (401) 276-5582
29   Sen. Michael McCaffrey      (401) 739-7576
30   Sen. William Walaska         (401) 737-1065 
31   Sen. Erin Lynch                   (401) 739-8500
32   Sen. Cynthia Armour Coyne (401) 222-6655
33   Sen. Leonidas Raptakis        (401) 397-2720 
34   Sen. Elaine J. Morgan           (401) 222-6655 
35   Sen. Mark W. Gee                  (401) 222-6655 
36   Sen. James Sheehan              (401) 885-1988 
37   Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski       (401) 783-7704 
38   Sen. Dennis Algiere               (401) 222-2708

Summary of Governor’s Medical Marijuana Proposal - JoAnne Leppanen RIPAC

Every Plant Must Have Tag 

Every MMj plant in RI would be required to have a tag except for Compassion 
Tags to be purchased annually from Department of Business Regulation (DBR) at 
a price to be determined by DBR regulation. Revenues would go to the State 
Treasury, not to administer MMP.

The Governor said that the prices per tag would be $150 for patients and $350 
for caregivers.  The fact that the Governor has announced the prices gives the 
impression that DBR has already determined the prices.  Ordinarily, there is a 
public hearing prior to a regulation being issued. DBR can, but is not required to, 
issue regulations with lower prices for low income patients and caregivers who 
provide for low income patients.

Spokesperson for the administration claims that prices for tags are based on 2% 
of the revenues produced by one plant which is 17,000 dollars.  

Not clear where the 17,000 dollar figure came from but it is a grandiose fantasy. 

We have yet to come across a 17,000 dollar plant.  Plants grown by a patient for 
their own medical use have no commercial value because the medicine is not 
sold. Caregivers who are growing for their registered patients can be reimbursed 
for expenses but not profit. Again, the medicine has no commercial value because 
it cannot be sold for profit. Only cardholders who sell to the compassion centers 
can legally profit from the sale of medical cannabis.  These cardholders receive 
wholesale, not retail prices from the compassion centers, who resell the cannabis. 
These cardholders must pay income taxes on the sales to the compassion centers.  

The compassion centers must charge a 7% sales tax when they sell the medicine 
to patients in addition to the 4% tax they pay on monthly gross revenues.
Failure to purchase plant tags could result in revocation of MMj card and fines.

Patients Could Use Any and All Compassion Centers

A patient could purchase at any of the three compassion centers. No more 
registering for compassion centers. Still restricted to 2.5 ounces every 15 days. 
Data base will use patient MMj numbers to facilitate communication between 
compassion centers to ensure that no patient buys more than 2.5 ounces every 15 
days from compassion centers. 

Patients may have up to 6 plants, including seedlings. Patients may have a 
combination of mature plants and seedlings as long as the total does not exceed 
six.  This is a 75% reduction in the plant count.

Caregivers may still be registered for as many as five patients. They may have six 
plants (a combination of mature plants and seedlings) per patient   However, 
they cannot exceed a total of 24 (mature and seedlings) plants.  This also is a 
drastic reduction in plant count depending on the number of patients. For 
caregivers with one patient, it is a 75%reduction. 

A patient who is also a caregiver must count him or herself as one of the patients. 
Therefore, a patient who becomes a caregiver can have a maximum of 4 patients 
and count themselves as the fifth. (Unclear if the patient who is his own caregiver 
can have 2.5 ounces of dried usable)

Co-ops will have the same total plant counts but with no distinction between 
mature plants and seedlings. Instead of 24 mature and 12 seedlings, a residential 
co-op could have a total of 36 in any combination.
Instead of 48 mature and 24 seedlings, non-residential co-ops could have a total 
72 plants in any combination.

Co-ops must have patients to correspond with plant numbers. A residential co-op 
would have to provide for at least six patients to grow 36 plants. A non-residential 
co-op would have to provide for at least 12 patients to grow 72 plants.

Limits on Dried Usable Medicine

No change. Patient is still limited to 2.5 ounces. Caregiver with one patient can 
have 2.5 ounces. Caregiver with 2-5 patients may have 5 ounces.
Maximum of 24 plants in a dwelling unit or commercial unit except for co-ops and 
“licensed cultivators”. Commercial unit is a building or room within commercial 
building.  A dwelling unit means the room or group of rooms within a dwelling 
used or  intended for use by one family or household, or by no more than three  
unrelated individuals, for living, sleeping, cooking and eating.   
All grows must be registered with DBR. A cardholder can grow in only one 

Authorized Purchaser

Patient may designate “authorized purchaser” to purchase medicine at 
compassion centers for them. Must be 21 and register with health department. 
They may not grow or use patient’s medicine. Can only have one patient. 
Background checks not required by proposed law but fees and other 
requirements will be determined by Health Department.
Patient Options for Medicine
If a patient purchases tags to grow, then they cannot appoint a caregiver or 
authorized purchaser. They can use the compassion centers but if they are too 
sick or unable to get there, they will not have anyone to purchase on their behalf.
If a patient does not grow, then may appoint a caregiver or authorized purchaser 
(cannot appoint both) and can use the compassion centers.  

Flammable Chemical Extracts

Patients and caregivers prohibited from creating concentrates through flammable 
solvents including, but not limited to, butane, hexane, and propane.
Massachusetts and Connecticut physicians could no longer certify patient 
applications. RI physicians only.

Cultivators License

New category of grower to be licensed and regulated by DBR
DBR would issue regulations that determine qualifications, plant counts, 
application process, fees, etc
Each plant must have tag to be purchased annually
Cultivator could not be a caregiver or participate in co-op
Could sell to compassion centers only – no direct sales to patients, caregivers or 
authorized purchasers.
Caregivers, licensed cultivators, licensed compassion centers, and licensed 
cooperative cultivations would be subject to “reasonable inspection” by the 
DBR for the purposes of enforcing regulations and laws. DBR to determine 
whether inspections include law enforcement.
Law enforcement shall have access to information about growers “only to the  
extent  necessary  to verify information about medical marijuana tags, caregiver 
cardholders, licensed cultivators, cooperative cultivations, and compassion center 
cardholders.” If law enforcement asks the Health Dept. for information about a 
patient, the Dept. will only verify patient’s MMj number, which is the current law.

Department of Business Regulation

Would register all grows, license and inspect.  Will be issuing new fee schedules 
for grows and tags.  Fees for tags go to the state’s general fund. Other fees to go 
to an account for administration of MMP.
Would license and regulate cultivators and compassion centers.
Issue a report by 1/1/17 evaluating effectiveness of compassion centers and make 
recommendations as to need for additional centers

Health Department

Would still register patients. Would register authorized purchasers
Regulate labelling, testing and maintenance of compassion center products
Health department would expedite applications for Hospice patients

Compassion Centers

The current 4% tax would be reduced to 3% as of July 1, 2016
The gifting provision allows a patient or caregiver to GIVE medicine to another 
cardholder as long as there is no consideration (nothing of value is asked for in 
return) and the person receiving the gift does not go over their limit. The gifting 
provision, which so many so income patients benefit from, would be eliminated. 
New law would take effect 7/1/16.  Patients and caregivers would have to comply 
with new plant limits by 12/31/16.

To view the actual text of proposed law : 

http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText16/HouseText16/H7454.pdf

 Go to Article 14 on page 194

Please note that when you read the text, you will see many provisions crossed out 
but if you keep reading, you will see that many are reinserted in a different section
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