2016 -- S 2981

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LC005819

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING WILLIAM COTTON ON BEING THE FIRST MEDICAL MARIJUANA

PATIENT IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Archambault, Ruggerio, and Miller

     Date Introduced: May 10, 2016

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, In 1999, Bill Cotton was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, an autoimmune

disorder which affects the central nervous system and causes a wide range of symptoms, many of

which can be chronic and debilitating; and

     WHEREAS, Initially treated with conventional pharmaceuticals and synthetic cannabis,

Mr. Cotton, as is the case with many MS patients, found no relief from his MS related pain; and

     WHEREAS, In 2006, Bill Cotton became the first patient in Rhode Island to receive his

medical marijuana card, dramatically improving his quality of life, and enabling him to enjoy and

contribute to his family as a husband and father of two; and

     WHEREAS, As a result of his journey, Mr. Cotton became a Marijuana Patient Advocate

and Educator, as well as a volunteer consultant, and a liaison in the Medical Marijuana Program.

His efforts have helped many Rhode Islanders to find comfort and relief, and have aided them in

returning to productive lives; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, Mr. Cotton founded and is the Director of the RI Patient

Association, and serves on myriad boards and organizations including the Board of Directors for

Child, Inc., as a member of the State-Wide Family Engagement Advisory Council, Treasurer of

RIPAC, and on the Board of Directors for the Rhode Island Head Start Association; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby recognizes and honors William Cotton on being the very first medical marijuana patient in

the state. We moreover wish him health and happiness and thank him for his altruistic efforts on

behalf of the citizens of our state; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. William Cotton.

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LC005819

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