This went out earlier today from Patients for Reform.
HELENA, Oct. 10 – No poll shows IR-124 with majority support, and the new law now faces two new hurdles to approval by the voters this year.
Patients for Reform, Not Repeal has begun its second radio advertising campaign with a new spot, entitled “Running Away,” which points to the measure’s weak voter support and even opposition from the Montana Republican Party. The spot notes that Sen. Jeff Essman, sponsor of SB 423 – the subject of the referendum – has conceded that his work will be changed next year.
Meantime, in Tuesday night’s gubernatorial debate, current Attorney General Steve Bullock said he’d vote against IR-124. It’s a landmark statement by Bullock on the state’s medical marijuana laws. Republican challenger Rick Hill said he’ll vote for IR-124.
Bob Brigham, campaign manager for Patients for Reform, Not Repeal, said, “Rick Hill is outside the mainstream on medical marijuana and on IR-124 in particular. Most voters will say ‘no’ in November. His own party has disowned it.”
Brigham added, “If Rick Hill thinks IR-124 is the horse to ride to victory, he should watch out, he’s headed over a cliff.”
Public polls so far have showed IR-124 with support at 46 percent (Public Policy Polling) and 44 percent (Mason-Dixon). That’s not good enough to win, even with large numbers of undecideds.
As Voter Information Guides have arrived this week, voters across Montana have seen the story told by opponents of IR-124.
Patients Lori Burnam and Sarah Baugh are joined by Dr. Edwin Stickney in arguing that IR-124 decimates patients’ rights and amounts to repeal of the original voter-approved medical marijuana law. The politicians arguing for IR-124 present a comparatively weak case.
The new radio spot by Patients for Reform, Not Repeal is running in very strong rotation in Billings at this time. Meanwhile, the Will of the Voters Fund – a separate anti-IR-124 group – is running radio ads in additional markets.
Brigham said, “Defeating IR-124 won’t be easy, but as voters learn more, they will turn against it in larger and larger numbers. We’re here to give them an extra push.”
Well I received my sanders county voters guide yesterday. I opened the booklet and the first page was filled with tea party propaganda. This looks like an official Sanders county document. I’m sure a lot of misinformed people will misinterpret this as a way to understand the issues at hand. Thanks for the heads up MTCIA. I hope everyone is getting the word out. This is a dirty trick being played on the unsuspecting public. I hope the back lash slaps them back to the hateful little dark corner they crawled out of.
first and foremost,, we will not be voting for or against IR-124,, IR-124 is the enrollment number provided to us, by the state for our voter referendum, IR-124 asks, to vote FOR or AGAINST SB-423, the senate bill that cripples the will of the people, PLEASE if we can’t get this right how can we expect anyone else to?????
At the top of the ballot, IR-124 is mentioned. It does not appear in the body of the text on that page. Next to the actual voting boxes the language references SB423. Generally, Patients for Reform has been talking about IR-124 and encourages people to vote “no”. The MTCIA has been focusing on SB423 and asks voters to vote “against”. Unfortunately, a ballot initiative gets a number, as does a bill, and it doesn’t take long to end up with alphabet soup. Either way, a vote of “no” or “against” will repeal the current medical marijuana law and require the legislature to do a better job.
Anyone considering NOT voting for Bullock should think waaaaayyyy back to the start of the repeal movement and remember just who started this nonsense, the so called freedom-loving, tea-party Republicans. Remember the ONE PERSON who put the brakes on the process was Governor Schweitzer. You can demand perfection or make the choice at hand. Clearly, Steve Bullock is the person we need to take up the reins from Schweitzer on this issue. The Governor has more flexibility to act in this regard than does the AG. Hill is a troglodyte hoping to drag us back to the land before time, and Montana before medical Cannabis. Schweitzer supports Bullock, and so do I.