Voters overwhelming passed Montana’s medical marijuana law for legalizing weed for medical purposes in 2004 – allowing patients to carry one once and cultivate four plants for personal use.
But many roadblocks have risen since the law was passed, including legislative measures to strip the law of any power. In 2011 the Legislature repealed the old law and replaced it with a new law, although the original intent was to do away with medical marijuana initially.
Urgent: Should Marijuana Be Legalized in All States?
Here’s what lawmakers have to say about legalized medical marijuana in Montana.
1.
According to The Spokesman-Review, Republicans made a move to repeal the state’s medical marijuana law, but the governor vetoed it saying, “frivolous, unconstitutional or in direct contradiction to the expressed will of the people of Montana.”
2. “A great majority of these people are honest people and they are using it because they're in a great deal of pain, they need medical cannabis," said Democratic Rep. Tim Furey,
according to CNN.
3. “I wanted to do a legalization of marijuana bill, but I don't have the energy," said Sen. Mary Caferro, D-Helena,
according to MapInc.org.
4. Some lawmakers would like to see medical marijuana laws axed, MapInc.org said.
"It should pass because marijuana is a Schedule I drug," said Sen. David Howard, R-Park City, who introduced a bill that would ban medical marijuana in Montana.
Vote Now: How Do You Feel About Marijuana Legalization?
5. “Even good golfers use a mulligan now and again," said Rep. Keith Regier, in response to the legislative effort to overhaul the marijuana laws,
according to the Toke of the Town.
6. Regulations regarding caregivers and cultivators not being able to charge for their services were criticized when the new law was put into effect in 2011.
State Representative Ellie Hill, D-Missoula,
told Reuters, according to High Times, “If I was a man in my 70s living in eastern Montana, first of all I don't know who I would ask to grow my medical marijuana for free, or that I would know how to do it myself.”
7. “On a 30,000-foot view, I think it’s important to know that Montana is not Colorado, Washington, Oregon or Alaska,” said Sen. Jeff Essman, R-Billings – in reference to states that have legalized the use of
marijuana – reported the Missoulian.
“My personal opinion is I don’t think the majority of people here want to legalize the recreational sale of marijuana, nor would they deny access (of marijuana) for medical purposes for needy patients. We’re in a messy place in between.”
Tell Us: Should the Government Legalize Marijuana?