cannabisnews.com: Senate Votes To Repeal Medical Marijuana Law
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Senate Votes To Repeal Medical Marijuana Law
Posted by CN Staff on March 30, 2011 at 15:46:47 PT
By Charles S. Johnson, Missoulian State Bureau
Source: Missoulian
Helena, MT -- After a long debate, the Senate voted 37-13 Wednesday to repeal Montana's medical marijuana law and replace with one with greater restrictions to make it much harder for people to get cards in the future authorizing them to use it.Before passing Senate Bill 423, the Senate named the state Department of Labor and Industry as the licensing authority over what will be called "therapeutic marijuana."
That task was assigned to the Public Service Commission in the original version of the bill, but moved to the Department of Agriculture during the debate and finally to the Department of Labor and Industry.Before SB423 moves to the House by Wednesday's revenue bill transmittal deadline, however, it faces a final Senate vote later today.Before that vote is taken, the Senate must agree to suspend its rules, a move that requires a two-thirds' majority vote, or 34 of the 50 senators to concur.That gives some negotiating leverage to the Senate's Democratic minority, some of whose votes will be needed to suspend the rules. The Senate has 28 Republicans and 22 Democrats.At a caucus of Senate Democrats earlier in the day, some senators were suggesting that the Democrats not go along with the vote to suspend the rules unless they got something in return such as Republican support for a $97.8 million bonding bill."I'm trying to get a deal," said Senate Minority Leader Carol Williams, D-Missoula, at the caucus.Source: Missoulian (MT) Author: Charles S. Johnson, Missoulian State Bureau Published: March 30, 2011Copyright: 2011 Missoulian Contact: oped missoulian.comWebsite http://www.missoulian.com/ URL: http://drugsense.org/url/1K5u8xY5CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #18 posted by josephlacerenza on April 02, 2011 at 06:43:39 PT
These are the Types we are Battling
"... Sen. Hutton isn't too concerned about the pain and suffering he inflicts on Montana patients. In fact, he has already resigned his state Senate seat, having accepted a job as pastor of a church in Omaha, Nebraska. This seems particularly irresponsible, since it was only last November that the lackadaisical Hutton was elected to a four-year term. ..."You can call Hutton's Senate office at (406) 444-4800 or his home office at (406) 945-0256, or you can email him at hutton4senate yahoo.com , according to the Montana Legislature website.Schweitzer realizes what is going on. I hope he does the right thing and VETO this REPEAL bill!!
Business Will Get a Lot Slower!
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #17 posted by FoM on April 01, 2011 at 16:15:16 PT
Just a Comment
The Governor could sign it or veto it but thank goodness having a Democrat as Governor gives the people at least a fighting chance. I hope the reform community appreciates it. That wouldn't be the case under a Republican Governor.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #16 posted by FoM on April 01, 2011 at 16:11:50 PT
Marijuana Repeal Heads To Governor
April 1, 2011Billings -- The Montana Legislature Friday passed a bill to repeal the state's medical marijuana law. The legislation now goes to the desk of Governor Brian Schweitzer, where he can either sign it into law or veto it. The democrat has hinted that he would be unlikely to support any measure to repeal the voter-approved law. Montana voters overwhelmingly approved the initiative that legalized medicinal marijuana in 2004. Schweitzer has said he feels Montanans support reforming the system, but not a full repeal. Meantime, a bill to impose certain new regulations on the industry is still alive. A vote in the House is expected soon.Back to the repeal bill, it is expected to arrive on the governor's desk by Tuesday. He then has 10 days to either sign or veto it.URL: http://www.kulr8.com/news/local/Marijuana-Repeal-Heads-to-Governor-119091909.html
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Comment #15 posted by josephlacerenza on April 01, 2011 at 12:20:50 PT
Well it looks......
It looks Like Schweitzer is our ONLY hope. PLEASE Gov. Schweitzer do the right thing and PROTECT the PATIENTS. Repeal is not even close to strict regulations, it is back to NO regulations!!From NORML.ORG: Montana Senate Resurrects and Passes Medical Marijuana Repeal BillRecent Action Alerts Montana Senate Resurrects and Passes Medical Marijuana Repeal Bill Details
Maryland Lawmakers Amend Medical Marijuana Measure To An Affirmative Defense -- Substitute Language Passes Senate Details
Kansas Lawmakers Fail to Act on Medical Marijuana Legislation Details Montana Senate Resurrects and Passes Medical Marijuana Repeal BillOn March 31st the Senate voted 29-21 in favor of HB 161, a measure which would repeal Montana's medical marijuana law. The bill now faces one more procedural vote before it goes to Governor Schweitzer's desk.The governor had previously voiced support for the state's medical program and it is our hope he will stand by the will of Montana's voters and veto HB 161.Please take a moment of your time to contact Governor Schweitzer and tell him to stand by Montana's patients and veto HB 161. You can contact the governor through NORML's 'Take Action Center' here:http://www.capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=39086501There has never been a single state medical marijuana law that has been repealed. Do not let Montana be the first. Please stay up to date regarding the progress of this measure here. You can also read NORML's rebuttal to lawmakers bogus claims about the present law and its effects here.Thank you for your efforts to enact sensible marijuana law reform in Montana.Sincerely,
The NORML Team
Biotechnology, Botanical Analysis Specialist in Montana
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #14 posted by dongenero on April 01, 2011 at 08:11:07 PT
The repeal poll
Say what you like about extrapolating polls x1000, and whether or not it is accurate, or if it even matters against an election but, let's be clear. This is all based upon a poll of 625 people.62552% polled favored repeal...which is 325 people.325 polled conservatives overcome nearly 400,000 voters in an official election??? In a separate poll where fixing regulations was an option, keeping the law, and further regulating were the clear winner. This is just another front in the conservative culture war against America.
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Comment #13 posted by dongenero on April 01, 2011 at 08:00:30 PT
Montana
In 2004,...VOTERS.....approved medical cannabis.There were well over 638,000 registered voters in the 2004 Montana election. 62% voted FOR medical cannabis, the highest percentage in any state that has approved medical cannabis.Now, someone POLLS just over 600 people, who voice a hair margin of majority for repeal. So what? Regardless of the paltry numbers as compared to the actual election...this was a POLL, not an ELECTION. And from this, a handful of conservative legislators and a couple dunce Democrats view this as a mandate for repeal? Do they have repeal for Congress members in Montana? My guess is that you could get far more than 600 people interested in repealing each and every one of these "representatives". The over 28,000 card holders represent about 46x the 600 conservatives polled in this sham of legislation. What a country! So much for the myth of freedom loving, western maverick conservatives. The current actions show they are anti-Voter and anti-Democracy, which in my book is anti-American. They're just another brand of self-righteous, narcissistic control freaks, rising to their level of political and public malfeasance.
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Comment #12 posted by josephlacerenza on April 01, 2011 at 07:15:11 PT
PLEASE SCHWEITZER!!! VETO THIS BILL!!!
Governor Schweitzer will not hand this kind of victory to his republican opposition. As he leaves office, he has three options when it comes to passing or vetoing legislation:1.) Can the Dems capitalize from this move?2.) Can the Rep capitalize from this move?3.) Can someone else deal with this after I leave office?This football of people's rights can be kicked back and forth for the next 3 weeks until the legislature has to close. Gov. Schweitzer is now our goalie. I hope he has the hands to stop anything the R's can kick, fick, or send his way!!!He will have to be convinced that WE are with him, that the same 62% still see MMJ in Montana as worth fighting for. And, that WE WILL come out and support those who so unselfishly supported us, even if they were willing to through us under for $97 million!
Montanan Biotech Lab
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on March 31, 2011 at 20:42:07 PT
That would be nice...
if the Governor didn't sign it.
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on March 31, 2011 at 20:05:11 PT
Hope
There is a good chance the Democratic Governor won't sign the Bill. He said he wants reform but not repeal.
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on March 31, 2011 at 19:46:47 PT
Oh no...
And the House will send it flying through.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #8 posted by FoM on March 31, 2011 at 18:15:36 PT
Senate Endorses Full Repeal Of Medical Marijuana
By KECI StaffMarch 31, 2011
HELENA, Mont. -- Senators endorsed a bill repealing medical marijuana shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday by a vote of 29-21. It needs one more, mostly procedural, vote to clear the chamber.URL: http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/27391938/detail.html
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Comment #7 posted by josephlacerenza on March 31, 2011 at 05:07:50 PT
UPDATE on SB423 in Montana
"... It was a moment of high drama in the Senate, amid reports of deal-making overtures by Democrats that Republican leaders rebuffed and lost the last-remaining major bill to tighten restrictions on medical marijuana use in Montana. ..." Oh, YAH!!!"... It also sets up the possibility that the Legislature either will repeal the medical marijuana law, or come up with nothing, with only three weeks left in the session. And a repeal bill might draw a veto from Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who has said the law should be fixed, not overturned. ..."The Gov is not running for another term, and will NOT hand ANY victory to the R's at the expense of his D supporters.
Botanical Analysis Lab located in Bozeman Montana
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on March 30, 2011 at 19:40:52 PT
Joseph
You know I stand with you and fight on.
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #5 posted by josephlacerenza on March 30, 2011 at 19:38:37 PT
UPDATE from MONTANA
Friends,Please forward this urgent action alert.In a surprise legislative maneuver, HB 161, the medical marijuana
*repeal* bill, was resurrected, and will be voted on by the Senate
tomorrow, Thursday, March 31st, 2011.To send a message to all Montana's Senators, please visit and give your
opinion:http://www.montanadrugpolicy.org/alert/35In order to prevent this repeal bill from passing, we need a few more NO
votes, especially from Republicans.Please tell your friends, now.--
--
John Masterson
Montana NORML - Working to reform marijuana laws in Montana.
Web: http://montananorml.org
Blog: http://blog.montananorml.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mtnorml
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mtnorml
Get Legislative Action Alerts: http://montanadrugpolicy.org_______________________________________________
Montana NORML could not exist without your support. Join us today: http://www.montananorml.org/join/To unsubscribe or change options, visit: http://mailman.modwest.com/listinfo/mtnorml-listThis is NOT JUST MONTANAN!!! This is a battle against ALL MMJ PLEASE, watch what is happening, learn, be PRO ACTIVE!!!
MT NORML
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on March 30, 2011 at 18:23:04 PT
Joseph
Not all Democrats are liberal or progressive. Some of them are in certain sections of the country. Sometimes I think people (politicians) have lines that they won't cross and others cross back and forth and have strange values.
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Comment #3 posted by josephlacerenza on March 30, 2011 at 18:18:15 PT
From the Mouth of a Repeal advocate!!
"...I was disappointed to hear that Democrats are willing to use legislation to responsibly regulate therapeutic marijuana as a political bargaining chip for completely unrelated policies. Republicans have worked with our Democrat colleagues in an open and honest manner to find a mutual solution to a problem common to all of our communities and constituents. ..."Nuf said!!! Huh,FoM!!! Chips to be tossed about!!
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on March 30, 2011 at 16:44:34 PT
Joseph
It seems in your state that is all you are.
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Comment #1 posted by josephlacerenza on March 30, 2011 at 16:33:06 PT
WE, Patients, are just Bargaining Chips!!!!
"I'm trying to get a deal," said Senate Minority Leader Carol Williams, D-Missoula, at the caucus. WTF!!!! How does their deal have anything to do with my access to medicine!!!!???? This is driving me crazy!!! Montanan's are keep you hands off my guns, keep your hopey changey thing type of people!!!!! But, those medical marijuana patients and caregivers, throw them under the BUS!!! We have benefited the economy for the past 7 YEARS!!! ~3% of the population holds a MMJ card. I would guess that ~10% of the state is DIRECTLY, or INDIRECTLY associated with the trade...What percentage of the population votes? I bet I can get a lot of people out to vote to KEEP THEIR JOBS!!! WTF!!!We will be creating an underground , black market hay day. These "patients", as they are labeled by the repeal croud, were there before the MMJ act, and they will be there after!!!
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