| Medical Marijuana Blog |
The Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union says it is considering legal action over Gov. Lincoln Chafee’s decision not to license three medical marijuana dispensaries, as provided for in the state’s medicinal cannabis law.
State ACLU Executive Director Steve Brown said on Friday that he’s trying to put a lawsuit together on behalf of patients to force the governor to comply with the “compassion center” statute, which provides for state-licensed dispensaries, reports The Associated Press.
Brown said he’s been in touch with the Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition (RIPAC) about possible legal action.
Governor Chafee on Thursday said he wouldn’t implement the state’s compassion center law because it could cause Rhode Island to become a target of federal law enforcement.
State lawmakers approved a law to license dispensaries after patients complained of a lack of safe access points for medical marijuana. The state has already selected three facilities from among a group of applicants to dispense cannabis.
The federal Uniform Controlled Substances Act prohibits marijuana use and possession for any purpose.