Montana

News

The state health department has drafted proposed regulations for the medical marijuana industry, setting rules for quality testing, tracking and increasing fees.

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday it won't hear an appeal challenging a Montana law that limits medical marijuana providers to selling the drug to a maximum of three patients each, dealing a blow to advocates who are attempting to delay enforcement of the law.

Supreme Court Won't Hear an Appeal Challenging Montana Law That Limits Medical Marijuana Providers to Selling the Drug to Three Patients Each

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - A Montana State Prison guard has been accused smuggling methamphetamine and marijuana into the prison in exchange for cash.

Letters

In 1999 while working as a researcher I was badly injured falling down a water fall. After surgery for my dislocated and broken shoulder I awoke to the tremendous burning pain of nerve damage. There was no relief for it. I tried every pain medication they gave me. All those pills did nothing to provide relief. All those pills made me so very ill.

I would like to take this opportunity to discuss a grave injustice that is being done here in Montana. All patients that are receiving opiates in Montana will have the prescription voided and not allowed to have any pain drugs from now on. What would normal working class people do if that really happened?

I have recently been authorized to take medical marijuana. I have a neurological condition that has caused me agony for 40 years. This is a hereditary disease, which my mother had and my daughter currently has.

With the Supreme Court decision upholding a sneak attack on a thriving and needed industry, some pious souls are surely sitting back toasting each other with their drug of choice. Maybe they are even sucking on a cigarette or cigar. Well over 2,000 Montana taxpayers are not so joyous. They are now out looking for jobs our politicians have not been able to create.

In response to the Feb. 7 letter, "No to marijuana," even prohibitionist government quit using the historically discredited gateway theory years ago. However, some people continue believing the lies, half-truths and propaganda which has perpetuated cannabis (marijuana) prohibition. Caging innocent responsible adults who use the relatively safe, extremely popular, God-given plant is vulgar and anti-Christian for a developed nation.

GOP FIGHT AGAINST LEGALIZATION It seems our Montana GOP is very focused on stopping any form of legalization of the evil weed. I think I know why, as I have noticed over the years that smoking weed turns Republicans into Democrats. Just a few tokes and Republicans want to cuddle and smooch those wonton wild Democratic ladies. Of course, no truly self-righteous righties would actually marry and have hard-working little capitalists with those less-than-moral babes.

In response to Steve Zabawa's effort to make any possession of marijuana illegal, I suggest that he try living with the chronic pain that many users have to deal with.

Christi Turner's April 3 column was right on target (see "Nip it in the bud"). If marijuana were fully legal there would be no backcountry grows on public land. Legitimate farmers would produce it by the ton at a fraction of the current cost. There is a reason you don't see drug cartels sneaking into national forests to cultivate tomatoes and cucumbers. They cannot compete with a legal market.

Opinions

The new restrictions on medical marijuana going into effect this week will be devastating for patients. I know first-hand because I am a medical marijuana patient and have been for the past 10 years. Medical marijuana allows me to effectively treat my medical condition in a safer way and without the complications associated with the pharmaceuticals I would otherwise need to use.

Someday you or someone you love may need safe, legal access to medical marijuana. You, or they, may have cancer, epilepsy, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, or Crohn's disease, Parkinson's, breast cancer, a recent heart attack, or may be a veteran or emergency worker with post-traumatic stress disorder. In 2004, 64 percent of Montana voters passed a law creating a medical marijuana program, but access for patients seeking relief will soon disappear because of political nonsense in the 2011 Legislature. With these draconian, nonsensical laws, you and your loved ones aren't going to get what you need for pain, symptom relief or a cure.

Someday you or someone you love may need safe, legal access to medical marijuana. You, or they, may have cancer, epilepsy, IBS, colitis, or Crohn's disease, Parkinson's, breast cancer, a recent heart attack, or may be a veteran or emergency worker with PTSD.

With the recent news coverage regarding the Montana State Supreme Court's ruling on marijuana laws and the Montana Standard's editorial staff's response, it seems like the perfect opportunity to provide some clarifying facts about marijuana.

Papers