2016 -- H 8259

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LC005995

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING RHONDA O'DONNELL ON BEING THE FIRST MEDICAL MARIJUANA

PATIENT IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Slater, Edwards, Diaz, McNamara, and Marcello

     Date Introduced: May 26, 2016

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Rhonda O’Donnell, a longtime resident of Warwick who currently resides

in Coventry, is recognized as a champion of medical marijuana patients both in Rhode Island and

nationally, for her stalwart, compassionate advocacy for those seeking relief from debilitating

medical conditions; and

     WHEREAS, Despite being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at a young age, Mrs.

O’Donnell has led a vibrant and productive life as a registered nurse, patient advocate, wife of the

late Jack O’Donnell of Warwick, and mother of two children; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. O’Donnell is most widely recognized for her public advocacy for

passage of Rhode Island’s medical marijuana law in 2006, testifying over multiple years in favor

of legislation, recruiting patients to join the legislative push, and serving as a role model for those

who were too fearful to stand up in public for the right to use medical marijuana; and

     WHEREAS, During Mrs. O’Donnell’s push for Rhode Island’s medical marijuana law,

she revealed deeply personal information about her family’s efforts to assist her own father in

finding relief from the effects of chemotherapy through medical marijuana, long before there was

any protection under state law; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. O’Donnell accompanied the late State Representative Thomas C.

Slater in hand-delivering her application to the Department of Health as the first licensed medical

marijuana patient in Rhode Island in 2006, an event that gave hope and comfort to those facing

similar health challenges; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. O’Donnell’s advocacy on behalf of Rhode Islanders also included

raising funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Rhode Island through “MS Walks” with her

team, Rhonda’s Roadrunners; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. O’Donnell was recognized as the Marijuana Policy Project’s National

Activist of the Year; and

     WHEREAS, One of Mrs. O’Donnell’s lasting legacies is the inspiration she provided her

son Tom to go on to be a nationally recognized advocate helping people in states throughout the

country advance medical marijuana legislation; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. O’Donnell has long remained a true advocate that has never sought

public acclaim or recognition for her work, but rather is content in the knowledge that her

magnanimous efforts have led to the improvement in the quality of life for countless Rhode

Islanders; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby recognizes and honors Rhonda O’Donnell on being the very first

medical marijuana patient in the state, and a woman who remains a true role model and

inspiration for those dealing with pain and suffering; 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 Mrs. Rhonda O’Donnell.

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