author: g.d. dem
Rhode Island is generally considered a solid "blue" Democratic state, mostly "liberal" although "conservative" on what are called "social" issues. Thus, the shift in opinion on legalization of medical marijuana is highly significant.
Although mostly Democratic, the state's senior U.S. Senator is Lincoln Chaffee, one of the few Republicans in the Senate who regularly votes against the Senate Republican leadership. Representative Patrick Kennedy (yes, one of THOSE Kennedy's) represents the 1st Congressional District.
Another example of the shift in public opinion was shown in a Christmas poll of about 600 liberal-to-progressive activist Democrats. The poll available at Daily Kos website is more significant than many on-line polls because only people who have been registered for a while at the website can vote, and no one can vote twice. Result: nearly all rank-and-file Dems favor legalization of marijuana, while 7 out of 10 favor legalization of ALL drugs.
Poll is available at Daily Kos blogsite with blog by "Jerome a Paris" (title: "A very simple drugs policy") --
QUESTION: Should drugs be legalized?
Yes, no exceptions 415 votes - 71 %
Yes, but not hard drugs 151 votes - 26 %
Only alcohol and tobacco like today 6 votes - 1 %
No, even alcohol and tobacco should be made illegal 5 votes - 0 %
The blog also favored inclusion of alcohol as a "drug" -- to be treated like other drugs.
 http://www.dailykos.com/poll/1135545092_spKhMvXA
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Now after that experience, I truly believe that it would be impossible to achieve on a federal level what could not be achieved at a state level, especially when considering the big money from drug companies, the DEA, and every feel good family liar organizations about the danger of marijuana to the scapegoat always used, our children. So since these people do not have the capabilities to properly educate their children about the truth in the dangers of drugs, like more serious drugs as nicotine, alcohol and many other legal and over the counter drugs, the sick and dying must suffer, and suffer do they.
However, if one abstains from care giving for others, or attempts to grow marijuana for patients while being compensated, and keeps the number of marijuana plants to a minimum, then there would never be any federal intervention. As it stands now, possession of thirty grams or less of marijuana is not a federal crime.
However, for people who are not American Citizens, it is a whole other assortment of problems.