How many divisions does the Supreme Court have?

By Aussiegirl

The Rhode Island legislature is defying the Supreme Court and has approved a medical marijuana law. Are we seeing the first rumblings of revolt against the imperial majesty of the 9 black-robed so-called justices?

First we have the evidently credible plan put forth to condemn Souter's property for a new hotel which is receiving, by all accounts, serious and widespread attention. One commentor on UT states that local reports show that Souter's property is being guarded by police cruisers -- giving a picture of trembling aristocrats quaking in their palaces as sentries guard them from the ire of the masses, which reminds us of nothing less than a scene in "A Tale of Two Cities". Second we have the Rhode Island legislature in effect saying -- this is state business -- keep your noses out of it.

Can pitchforks and torches be
far behind?

The natives are restless -- the people are sick and tired of being ruled by unelected magisterial fiat and may simply decide to defy the court. As the article states, most drug arrests happen on a state level. Who is going to send in the federal marshalls to arrest these medical marijuana users?

The Rhode Island Senate Tuesday approved legislation that protects patients and their primary caregivers who use and prescribe marijuana for medical reasons from arrest.

The bill passed by a 33 to 1 margin. It passed the House earlier this month and will be sent on to the governor for approval.

The Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act allows patients under a doctor's supervision and their caregivers to grow or otherwise acquire marijuana plants in very limited quantities - up to 12 plants or 2.5 ounces of "usable" marijuana.

The legislation would grant a state ID card that would protect them from arrest under state drug possession laws. Despite the fact the U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that federal officials have the authority to enforce federal marijuana laws, most drug arrests come at the state level.

State legislators emphasized the law doesn't legalize recreational marijuana use, and is narrow in scope to limit the drug's use to patients with a debilitating disease, who are under a doctor's care and registered with the state.

If the law is approved, Rhode Island would become the 11th state in the nation to allow medical marijuana use.