Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri has vetoed a medical-marijuana bill passed by the state legislature, but the move is viewed a purely symbolic as supporters have more than enough votes to override the veto.

The Providence Journal reported June 5 that Carcieri, a Republican, said, "I support efforts to provide effective pain management to persons suffering from debilitating conditions, but not in a way that violates federal law and ignores the drug approval process as established by the Food and Drug Administration."

The bill, which would make permanent a medical-marijuana statute that was due to sunset.

"I fully expect that we will place a vote to override the governor's medical marijuana veto on the floor calendar before the end of our session," said Democratic House leader Gordon Fox, who added that "there is an overwhelming majority in the House willing to remove the sunset clause on this compassionate legislation."