NATIONAL BRIEFING / RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island Gov. Donald L. Carcieri has vetoed legislation that would allow stores to sell marijuana to medical patients. The proposal would have made Rhode Island the third state in the nation to adopt such a policy.

In a letter, Carcieri said permitting the manufacture and sale of drugs illegal under federal law would send the wrong message to children about drug use.

Lawmakers, however, passed the legislation by a margin large enough to overturn the Republican governor’s veto. Rep. Thomas Slater, the bill’s sponsor, said House and Senate leaders have promised to set a veto override vote.