We’ve taken some serious hits from the federal government over the last year (on top of the ones delivered by our own state government). The recent round of federal indictments and raids has had a seriously detrimental effect on what is remaining of Montana’s medical marijuana industry. Our state law obviously offers no guarantee of protection from federal intrusion and our State Attorney General, as well as every other state-elected official, all continue to remain mum on the harassment and damage being done to their own citizens. Understandably, providers across the state have been shutting down in an effort of self-preservation. As the number of providers has dwindled, so have the incoming donations to pay for the lawsuit fighting SB 423.
Well folks, it’s now time for everyone to really consider what this lawsuit means to you.
The MTCIA is saddened to say that we cannot continue with this lawsuit at the rate that donations are flowing in now. The lawsuit heads back to District Court after oral arguments on May 30 and could easily cost another $100,000 or more. We cannot in good faith go forward with a lawsuit that we cannot pay for. To be very clear, when and if that decision is made, it will be made by the industry as a whole due to lack of financial support and not because the MTCIA decided to call it quits. If donations do not increase significantly, that is unfortunately where we are left standing.
No one should need reminding that this lawsuit is the only thing that has kept this industry alive since SB 423 was enacted as law. It is safe to assume that most providers would not still exist if SB 423 was in full effect. Is it unreasonable to expect for everyone that has benefited from this lawsuit to contribute something? Anything? Many have given (some much more than others) and we really hope that you can still keep giving. We also understand that everyone has different financial circumstances that limit what they can contribute. Yet there are still those out there that haven’t donated a single dime and have still reaped the benefits. Some are simply not donating because they don’t like what the MTCIA has or hasn’t done or they just don’t like a board member. It’s a lot like shooting yourself in the foot to have an attitude like that. The primary reason the MTCIA exists right now is to pay for the lawsuit, the lawsuit that has allowed you to keep serving your patients. If you can’t support that, then you’re just riding the coattails of those that do. It really isn’t fair, but there is no way to make anyone do the right thing.
The flip side to all of this is wondering if the lawsuit is really worth it. Should the MTCIA’s sole existence be to pay for a lawsuit that will not offer any protection whatsoever from the federal government? Yes, the state law is unjust, but it is the federal intrusion that is hurting us most now. U.S. Attorney Michael Cotter has made it clear that he will continue to go after all large-scale operations. Where do they draw the line at for ‘large-scale? Who does that leave left to support the lawsuit? Are our extremely limited resources better off used for something else? These are questions we would like everyone to consider.
In the meantime, we still have a balance with our lawyer and will owe more for the upcoming oral arguments. Our PayPal donation button is on the top right of the page for your convenience. If you don’t want to use PayPal, you can mail donations here: MTCIA, P.O. Box 9085, Missoula, MT 59807. Regardless of the future might hold, it is still essential to our industry’s public image for all of this to end with a zero balance. It is the right thing to do. Anything else will just get used against us in the future.
The MTCIA failing to adapt and overcome adversity and i would hope that they would reach out to other leaders who are willing to take different approaches to ensure all the time and money spent so far is not waisted. Nathan Pierce ~Founder MTCIA
What do you propose Nathan? Where should the $ come from? Please enlighten use with your ideas…..because obviously we need all the help we can get. Blame gets us nowhere.
Seemed the community’s experience with medical mj the last few years undermined any legitimacy for a honest and viable industry for a generation or two. Old school black market mj maybe the practical way to go for coming years until the legislative debacle of the last 3-4 years has passed.
The lawsuit was obviously necessary and I think most people still support it, but simply have nothing left to give. Our lawyer seems to have priced himself out of a job while governments abused power and dragged their feet… In my personal opinion, I think MTCIA’s limited resources would now best be devoted to educating the public, press and politicians on how we can move forward into a world of sensible regulation.
Having been out petitioning for CI-110, it’s become apparent that many people are sympathetic to what’s happened over the past year; but don’t fully understand why it’s happening or what the solution is. Maybe we need public debates both online and in-person to discuss the political options we face?
Or, if the lawyer wants to keep his job then he needs to find a way of going after the federal law enforcement; so MTCIA can start collecting money from people in other states who understand how precedent works. But I still think educating Montanans is the real key, particularly on why it’s important to become a fully informed juror and on what’s going on in the rest of the world. Most people have no clue the U.N. condemned our drug war as a failure or that the International Red Cross has done the same, along with countless other leaders, economists, celebrities and soccer moms. Lee Enterprises probably isn’t planning on telling them otherwise…
very well put mtcia!!! if this offends anyone it should, and you know who you are.
sometimes you have to pay to play. no $ no industry. like it or not that has been the reality for a while now.
so come on all you “big timers” nows a chance to to actually put your $ where your MOUTH is instead of just talking about how great you or your “employees” are or how many hundreds of patients you have.
if this industry doesn’t want it that bad oh well you’ll be closed soon enough!
In the end, its always the consumer (patient) that suffers the most. Honestly, this issue has been and is like herding cats. This has always been a political fight and issue, for which the “pro Cannabis” lobby in Montana was unprepared to fight. The solution is simple don’t elect individuals that vote “how” the money tells them to. As far as the “elected State officials” actions and lack there of; “some” have shown themselves “unworthy” to hold such a honorable office in our great state.
I find it appalling that some folks make their living in this industry but refuse to help save it. We all need to get donations from our cars holders, put in what we can and send it in. It’s now or never people. If we all throw in a few bucks we can win this thing and make history. If we give up, all is lost
I challenge all providers to talk to their patients, collect some money from them and send it in in the next week. Remember when this whole thing started and we gathered together and raised. A pile of dough to start this fight? Let’s do it again and show these a$$holes that we are not going away and we will fight for what we believe in.
It seems things might go better if there was a little more transparency in where the donations have went and will tend to go. I m not sure what goes on at the meetings and so forth as I do not go ( a bit afraid). Perhaps that info is disclosed at the meetings. I made a small donation during initial push in June ’11. I have very little discretionary income as many of do. I wish I had more to contribute. But, even if I did, as stated above I would like more information as to what has been spent where.