Here is a state rep - someone who helps CREATE the laws that we all live by, and here he is BREAKING the law - in possession of an illegal drug. I think he should resign immediately. I don't want someone in power expecting me to obey the laws that our state politicians create, when he can't even follow the law himself.

Before we hang the guy, at least give him a fair trial...

I say, hang him. He's been given enough chances. Let's get someone in there who's going to "DO" something!

He should probably step down, if only to deal with his apparent problem.
Driving under the influence, when you're already in trouble? Flashing red danger sign to me...The stress certainly isn't doing him any favors.

Aside from the question of whether or not he is a suitable legislator,
I think he needs to leave office and get some help.

Absolutely he should resign or be dismissed.

PS:Where is the Speaker or the house regarding this? Our tax dollars being wasted!

of*

Drinking and Driving too ? and no charge ? Resign you loser, and the Cops who pulled him pver should give back the Cash they Bribed off him.

The man needs help. He has FREE medical insurance paid for by the struggling taxpayers of RI. He should at least use it

He is too stupid to be in the state house.....wait a minute....he is too immoral to be in the state house....on second thought ....maybe he fits right in... Ha ! Seriously resigning would be the only appropriate response. He is an absolute disgrace.

Bob Watson is an embarrassing pig. OF COURSE HE SHOULD RESIGN!

Of course he should. I don't even know why this has to be asked. He has been arrested twice for this. Fool me once...

In possession of an illegal drug that should be decriminalized by the General Assembly and the Governor. Notice he was intoxicated but not charged with that, WHY? Quit wasting our tax money on pot try to smarten up like our neighboring states and make money on it not spend money on it. Quit the politicking and figure out how to make money for the state and towns, besides raising taxes. The state has to run like a business and not like a dictation ship. Where the state spends and the people pay and we just keep taking more taxes to pay for it. We all know you’re great at spending money. Now let’s see how you do at making money for the state. If you can’t please step aside so we can get down to making this a state financially prosperous and a place where everyone wants to live. This should be done in no more than two weeks if the general assembly really is working for the people and the state. If they are working for the Dictation Ship they really need to step down. Plus Rep. Bob Watson told us the last time he used it for pain he suffers from lets show some compassion.

Is he doing his job? Is the pot for medical reasons? It's not a simple yes or no. Alcohol is much more of a problem. If he was driving drunk he should have been charged. He should resign on his own if his health and/or addictions are interferring with his job.

oh come on. Riding around smoking pot...is that really how you treat back pain??? I think if we believe his BS, we all should start smoking it too!!!

Nothing wrong with hitting the bowl a few times..it's the driving drunk that should put and end to his job..and the second time to boot..at least when a former Johnston official got caught on a bone run many years ago, we never heard another thing about him again..

This Patch article is weak. He uses MJ to treat pain and states that he did not use MJ that day at all. He has pleaded not guilty. Why did The Patch throw together this weak article that doesn't fully represent what happened. While I understand the publics concern and I too am a concerned citizen, we need to wait a bit longer to find out more information.
Alcohol kills 100,000 people a year. MJ hasn't killed anyone "0" and you know its smoked by over 25 million people in the U.S. I've smoked/eaten hash for over 3 years and don't have any issue with it. I'm a responsible citizen, take care of my 2 daughters (who go to HS and don't smoke), even take care of even my ex-wife who had a stroke 8 months ago. Why shouldn't I be allowed to smoke MJ whenever I want as long as I'm not hurting anyone else? Its just not fair what the gov has done. Legalize Hemp (Look up Ford Hemp Car on youtube or how hemp plastic is 10x as strong as steel and it matures in 4 months where a tree takes 20 years....) and legalize cannabis for not only medical reasons but recreational wellness as well. btw: The U.S. owns a patent on Cannabinoids which only come from marijuana. Conflict much? The U.S. has been lying to you for over 70 years. But I will say, if he was smoking and this lead to erratic driving behavior that he needs to resign and needs to accept punishment for that.

Keep dreaming John Perkins!!!

@David the two issues are very different and you need to rethink your argument. One is a health & rights issue, the other is a rights issue. Under your argument abortion would be illegal since there are a lot of people who morally object to it. The reality is that most American's are not threatened by legalized pot as shown in poll after poll. The Federal government is threatened though as it would decrease their arrests, most likely cause less traffic accidents (as proven by stats), they would not be able to tax what is grown in someone's home, and people potentially would drink less alcohol meaning again not getting tax money (again proven by independent stats). Do your homework on the subject, its not only fascinating, it will come to an end some day. As it stands the Fed is in discussion with a NY based company just this past year to be the first producers of medicine from raw cannabis. The corruption shouldn't surprise you on this. They have cannabis as Schedule 1 so this is a huge conflict of interest for the fed.
@Mew - Do you have something researched and intelligent to say?
If anyone on this post has not used cannabis then you are missing out on one fantastic remedy. I told you my story of how I can walk again because of it, now look at this.
http://youtu.be/2hO7uqK1EoM - Story of Cash Hyde, a 2 year old with brain cancer.
http://youtu.be/uY0-YcQfH08 - Leaf- Juicing Raw - this is impressive too.
This could save your life or someone you know too.

John,I have no problem with people who are ill using cannabis,but Mr.Watson has been picked up twice for drinking,what more do you want!!! He will end uo killing someone on the road. im very happy he is in rehab. But he should not be in the General Assembly,He needs to take time off and take care of himself. Im glad your able to walk again,I love to hear good news for a change. God Bless!!

Let me clarify. I have no problem with him leaving if he's guilty of some type of offense regarding the driving but I'm not in agreement that possession of marijuana means he has to leave his job (since he said he didn't use it and he said it is for medical purposes). However, it was reported that witnesses said they smelled alcohol. I just want The Patch to research more information before posting polls that might be unfair. I did put at the bottom of my statement that he needs to resign if he was driving erratically because of smoking (and or drinking). Its not right and sets a bad example in the community with repeated offenses, let alone one! Peace!

I'm from Coventry So lets use the Coventry Scale of good conduct.
Should Watson step down??
Do most RI politicos step down after arrest?
Do most Coventry politicos step down after arrest?
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Did Rep Sullivan Resign after his DUI? No he finished his term and went on to run the Obama race in RI and now works for Langavin or Reed. He pleaded out his case
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Did former Cov TC member Pomfret Resign after his Domestic arrest with multiple charges? No he ran again. His wife dropped the charges.
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Did former TC member Colaluca step down after his DUI? No he ran again but lost and went on to run for State senate and lost there too. He pleaded out his case.
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Who represented these people in court? Names like Williamson, Harwood and the like are often the lawyers with the inside track. Why you ask? Why not use the laywer that may have appointed the judge that you will stand before while your case is adjudicated.
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There have been plenty of arrested elected officials in RI and Coventry. If they choose to stay in office because the rules and laws allow it, than so be it.
Vote them out at the next election.
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Watson's days are numbered at best. Too bad for all of us he has brought much shame to the House yet again.

I love reading factual reports like coventy voter. Thank you. Watson needs to get his house (or health) in order before he tries to help us in our fine state. I love the comments by Chris 12. Watson has paid insurance.It is paid by many Rhode Islanders who don't even have health insurance themselves. Let him use it to get into rehab. He was twice pulled over. That is a problem.

Coventry voter, you win the gold ring!!! You are absolutely right. No one has written it better than you Sir

It is said a society is measured by it's compassion. Eventually life's lesson is, we will all, stand before the alter of compassion whether we like it or not. This is certain.

Frank, Thanks for sharing your Dalai Lama quote. Who would of thunk you studied Buddhism.
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Whats next a Maya Angelou poem?.
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You cant re-write or escape history Frank

I love it. Rep. Watson is a stoner!! Hey Spicoli were you on your way to Ridgemont High before you crashed into a snowbank? Were thre twinkies and chips ejected from your car? Start calling Hollywood to see if Sean Penn is available to play you. Maybe Judge Reinhold can play Rep. Jon Brien.

Watson the hypocrite - against legalizing medical marijuana but "self-medicates" himself with pot and racks up DUIs too. Well done sir, well done!

Amen

Isn't this great, the dirtier you are, you get off!! Maybe that Lincoln cop can kick that rep in the head and knock some sense into him? RI is one of the most corrupt states. Nobody at all has the guts to do the right thing by law. Just keep breaking it and get rewarded.