Rhode Island: Why You Should Visit the Ocean State This Summer

Tucked just east of
Long Island and Connecticut and south of Boston, yet close to the wild and wet
nature of Massachusetts’ rugged and remote southern coastline, Rhode Island has
been a medical cannabis state since 2006. Today, this tiny state has just three
“compassion centers” and is more than worthy of a visit for its history,
multiculturalism, architecture, antiques, recreation, food and incomparable bays
and beaches.

Getting medicated
in Rhode Island seems natural enough, as this state’s topography is incredibly
inspiring. The vast Narragansett Bay is home to more than 30 islands with the
largest being Aquidneck Island, which includes the towns of Newport, Portsmouth
and Middletown. In summer, Rhode Islanders head to “South County” and the towns
of Westerly, Charlestown and Narragansett for vacations along the state’s 100
miles of southerly beaches. Visitors will find every type of accommodation in
Rhode Island from five-star hotels and cheap motels to quaint B&Bs and cozy
camp grounds.

Food, wine, beer, art,
culture and architecture are always plentiful in Rhode Island. The state is
chock-full of vineyards, breweries, seafood restaurants and the reminders of days
gone by: Revolutionary War-era historical monuments, white marble
turn-of-the-century government buildings and Industrial Age mansions.

Ready to really get
away? Located 12 miles out to sea, Block Island is lesser well known (and less
crowded) than neighboring Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket. Block Island is
famous for its chill, relaxing vibe, clear sparkling waters, 17 miles of clean
beaches, dramatic sandy-and-grassy bluffs, wide-open nature preserves, numerous
period lighthouses and fun activities such as shopping, boating, cycling,
kayaking, horseback riding and eating seafood, of course. The island can be
accessed by several daily ferries from Point Judith, Downtown Newport’s
Perrotti Park and Old Harbor, Fall River (via Newport) and New London,
Connecticut.

Rhode Island’s
nautical theme permeates just about everything in the smallest state of the
union and makes for the perfect place for medicating on a summer getaway filled
with ocean adventures.

Fun-Filled
Facts

–Rhode Island is a
state of “firsts,” as in the first of the 13 colonies to take military action
against England, the first to practice democracy (thanks to its founder Roger
Williams) and the first state to construct a water-powered mill, which ushered
in the Industrial Revolution, among many other “firsts.”

–The film Meet Joe Black starring Brad Pitt and
Anthony Hopkins was shot at Warwick’s Aldrich Mansion.

–While Rhode
Islanders love their chowder (something between white and red), the state has
quite the quirky cuisine such as “hot weiners” instead of hot dogs, snail
salad, pizza strips and Johnny cakes.

If
You Go

Like many states,
Rhode Island’s medical cannabis advocates as of late have been fighting for equal
rights for PTSD patients. Two bills proposed to the Rhode Island legislature with
beefed up rights for PTSD patients were suddenly shelved for fall’s 2015 session.
Still, the Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition (RIPAC) organized in 2006
with the passage of the state’s medical cannabis act. In 2009, the legislation
authorized “compassion centers” open to the public along with a robust network
of caregivers. The Rhode Island law allows medical doctors in neighboring
Connecticut and Massachusetts to also provide patients with a MMJ “license.” So
far, the state has just three “compassion centers” including the Thomas C.
Slater Compassion Center in Providence, Greenleaf Compassionate Care in
Portsmouth and the newly-opened Summit Medical Compassion Center in Warwick.

Time to Go: Summer,
early fall or late spring.

Weather: Warm and
rainy.

Budget: $$$$$