On June 14, 2000, Hawaii's lawmakers passed a bill that protects seriously ill patients who use marijuana medically from local and state criminal prosecution. On May 26, 2004 the Vermont Legislature passed a bill to legalize medical marijuana for patients suffering from AIDS, cancer, or Multiple Sclerosis. It became law without the governor's signature. On January 3, 2006 the Rhode Island Legislature passed a bill which removes state-level criminal penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana by patients who possess "written certification" from their physician. On April 2, 2007 New Mexico's legislators passed a law which mandates the state Department of Health to promulgate rules governing the use and distribution of medical cannabis to state-authorized patients.