The state of Montana has a much needed medical marijuana program that is currently in place. However, the thousands of patients in need could face a standstill come the end of the summer if the governor of Montana, Brian Schweitzer, gets his way.
The governor has created a bill that would effectively do away with all marijuana dispensaries, outlaw any THC or marijuana infused products – such as edibles and beverages – and make it far more difficult to get approved by the state to use the plant for medicinal reasons.
For instance, under the newly proposed law, all dispensaries would be banned. Any marijuana products makers would also be banned and their products, plants and equipment would be seized by the state. Additionally, all Montana medical marijuana cards would be revoked, and under penalty of prosecution, patients would have to surrender their cards and marijuana to authorities and undergo a strict review process that requires multiple tests and the opinions of two non associated doctors in order to get approved again.
Proponents for the law say that it’s unfair, and that it undermines a much needed alternative medicine program in the state.
According to an early May article that was published in Forbes: “The group will need signatures from 15 percent of registered voters in 51 percent of the state's House districts to suspend the law. If they get the signatures the issue will be put on the general election ballot in 2012 for a final decision by the voters.” (Read Full Article Here)
The Montana Cannabis Industry Association has said that it will use all available resources to combat the passing of this new regulation bill, deeming it too strict and unfair to patients who are in need. The group estimates that it will need to collect between 75,000 and 100,000 signatures in order to get the bill repealed.
Montana decriminalized medical marijuana in 2004 by voter initiative. Currently the state has more than 30,000 approved Montana medical marijuana card holders.
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