NEW: Neronha Will Not Discuss Compassion Center Legislation
Monday, March 05, 2012
US Attorney Peter Neronha said today that the Department of Justice has no intention of discussing legislation that would allow medical marijuana compassion centers to open in Rhode Island.
“The policies and position of the Department of Justice on enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act in jurisdictions that have under consideration, or have implemented, legislation that would sanction and regulate the commercial cultivation and distribution of marijuana purportedly for medical use, have not changed," the statement said. "Therefore, we have not nor do we intend to review or discuss legislation on this topic which, according to media reports, was recently submitted for consideration by the Rhode Island Legislature. To be clear, at no time has there been any contact or communication between any state official and this Office concerning any such legislation.”
Neronha's statement could throw a wrench in an agreement reached last week between legislative leaders and Governor Chafee around compassion center legslation.
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