I've admitted before that I'm more or less ambivalent about the legality of marijuana, but as usual, Rhode Island's method of operations layers in an unseemly and suspicious twist to the process:
All told, that's $3.5 million in new tax revenue over two years. The Health Department is expected to announce on Tuesday the names of operators for up to three dispensaries. They will be chosen from a list of 18 applications. ...The future of the state's caregiver system is unclear. Last month, two bills were introduced in the General Assembly that would require all medicinal marijuana to be grown and sold through dispensaries a move that would for all intents and purposes end the caregiver program.
To put some totals on this sequence of legislation, the governor is expecting medical marijuana to be a $60 million business in Rhode Island, and the General Assembly may make the law of the land such that all the money filters through three entities hand-picked by the state. That's an instant $20 million business facilitated by the Department of Health. Looks like another instance of corruption by design, in Rhode Island.
If Rhode Island is to shift this slice of the illegal drug industry into the legal category, it should follow either the pharmacy model (if the pretense of medical benefit is to be maintained) or the liquor store model. Making the State House a den of pot kingpins is not the way to go.
(The applications submitted by the three newly selected dispensaries are linked here. There are no names as blatantly indicative of inside dealings as, say, Bill Lynch's, but that's hardly a mitigating factor when the potential for corruption is baked into the legal regime.)
"corruption is baked into the legal regime"
HA! Baked!
Posted by: Patrick at March 16, 2011 10:56 AMFamily Court is or was conducting divorce's in the back room chambers! Has this happened to you? Well it did to me, in Decemember of 2009 by the Chief Judge Jeremiah Jr. Case no P2009 0061, Donald Simeone vs. Serena Simeone. At the time I didn't know what was going on, all I knew was my attorney John Lynch Sr. who got paid $15,000.00 by my mother to get my children and my half of a 7 year marriage to my e-x, rushed me into the back room chambers and conducted an illegal divorce that is supost to be conducted in open court. It was all illegal and all conducted by politician and I'm sure they were all paid off very well. How long has this gone on? Open Court is open for a reason, so this very thing does not happen.My E-X Donald Simeone, his Attorney William Lynch (Attorney General Patrick Lynch's brother, of course), Guardian Ad Litem Steven A. Colantuono, my Attorney John Lynch Sr. and the Chief Judge Jeremiah Jr. all took part in this illegal divorce, throwing me the stay at home mother of 2 minor children (2 and 5 years old) out of the marital home. My ex Donald Simeone was awarded everything, The house, the cars, the Business; Scott's Garage, the IRA'S, the timeshares, the boat, the equity in the house, all the additions to the house, the retirement, all the marital assets, and even my personsal assets, HE EVEN GOT THE CHILDREN! He works full time Monday through Saturaday 8am to 6 pm, so my kids are either with the grandparents, babysitter's or girlfriend! HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? FAMILY COURT? BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN? I'm the stay at home, waiting for my kids, since my ex wanted a divorce now "i'm crazy"? This is all goverment misconduct! From a 7 year marriage, I got $3200.00 for a car, 10 1/2 months rent, 1 year of medicial coverage and 1 hour a week with my children, and a bill for $97,000.00 from my Attorney John Lynch Sr. after I went to the disciplinary board on him, (of course they did nothing). WHY? Because I didn't have the money his family did to pay off the right people. My case is in the Supreme Court now, March 2011, I'm fighting for this wrong to be righted, I just want my half, what is rightfully mine, and of course my children. My children have Steven Colantuono "Guardian Ad Litem" and in 2 years he hasnt spoken to either of my two minor children's schools, or doctors (As of March 14, 2011). I have emails and tape recorded conversations that he has NOT spoken to the principal, teachers or Dr. First, and in the last 3 1/2 months hasnt even checked in to court supervised visitation, he couldn't even remember the last time he spoke to my children, 7 and 4 years old. In supervised visitation my daughter has said "their dad doesnt spend any time with them, their also with the grandparents, babysitter or girlfriend, their dad has told their grandmother that their better off with out their mother"! No one from the Family Court does anything about this, NOT EVEN Judge John McCann. Who's protecting these Children? I have done nothing wrong to my children but love them. They even want me to pay child support, thats crazy right? I haven't had a job since 2003. Well this is all true and it happened to me, lets hope it doesnt happen to you. If it did please contact me. I'm sure this has gone on for many, many years and I'm going to make damn sure they dont get away with it. Please pray for me and my children and pray the Supreme Court obey's the law, unlike the Rhode Island Family Court. Interesting to note....Chief Judge Jeremiah also did Patrick Lynch's(previous Attorney General, my ex's attorney brother) divorce, and my Attorney John Lynch Sr. was also his attorney, HOW CHARMING! You know that was also done in the backroom too?