Drug War Issues
Politics & Advocacy
Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer Wednesday vetoed a bill that would have repealed the state's voter-approved medical marijuana law. A bill that would tightly regulate the state's medical marijuana industry and dramatically reduce the number of eligible patients remains alive.
Gov. Schweitzer heeds the will of the voters, not the legislature.
"I issue this veto of HB 161 because I do not believe it is right that 91 legislators overturn the will of the people of Montana, who passed this citizen initiative in 2004 by a significant margin," Schweitzer said in a veto statement.
Schweitzer added that he recognized that the state's medical marijuana act had evolved in ways not necessarily foreseen by voters, but insisted reform -- not repeal -- as the answer. "I believe the proper resolution of this unanticipated outcome is not outright repeal, but amendment to serve the original intent -- to provide a medicinal option for Montanans 'to alleviate the symptoms or effects of the patients' debilitating medical condition.'"
The remaining regulation bill, Senate Bill 423, a last-minute replacement of an earlier regulation bill, has been repeatedly amended and rewritten, and the House and Senate have passed two completely different versions. A conference committee from both chambers will meet to try to find common ground. They have eight days before the session ends.
According to the Marijuana Policy Project, the Senate version of the bill was "imperfect," but the version passed by the House is harsh and "virtually unworkable." The group is urging its members to tell legislators to reject the House amendments.
Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.
Comments
Backlash? maybe, but the
Backlash? maybe, but the majority of Montana voters still support MMJ.
Maybe one of the smartest
whew!
thank goodness our governor has some compassion and common sense, cuz the teapublicans in our legislature are bat $hit crazy.
Bravo!!!!!
Finally, someone who stands up for the will of the people.
attaboy Gov. Schweitzer, we need more of our elected officials to do this!!!!
This is what democracy is all about.
now thats a man we can support
you go governor ill bet he would be one of the first to agree when voters are denied their vote through ballots next they will be voting with their rifles . this is a warning made to all lawmakers by the governor good on you mate
Bye Bye Mike Milburn you
Bye Bye Mike Milburn you LOSER!
Time to represent your constituents or find another JOB!
Looks like that's what you'll be doing.....
Now there is an elected
Now there is an elected official who is doing what he is suppose to do, listen to the voters. Good job Brian.
the people have spoken
I mean who are these legislators think they are. To even ask the Gov. to repeal a rightful vote of the people is un-american and makes it sound downright desperate to maintain their funding.
Kudos to the Governor.. I
Kudos to the Governor.. I know that if the Maine Legislature started to screw around like those bozos did, there would possibly be barricades in the streets..why have voter referenda if monied interests can purchase legislators to over throw them...kind of goes against the grain of what we are lead to believe this country is all about ( not that I believe in that bullshit anymore)
Something that passes through
Something that passes through the people should only be able to be taken away by the people. This is how our country should be. If people want to vote to repeal the law then they should by a ballot measure. It seems like regulations is the best way to go. Hey if people are abusing it then that should change. Medical Marijuana should only be given to people who would die without it or they can't have a normal quality of life. It shouldn't be given if you have stress or insomnia. Like it is here in California.
In reply to Something that passes through by ttmmjj (not verified)
Do you understand how debilitating serious stress can be
or serious insomnia? People suffering from either have a perfect right to use medicinal marijuana, even under strict standards for use.
In reply to Something that passes through by ttmmjj (not verified)
Why not insomnia?
Why shouldn't medical marijuana be available as treatment for insomnia? It's safe and effective.
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