medical marijuana
MTCIA Statement on Governor’s Proposed 6% Tax of Medical Cannabis
First, we recognize that the Governor’s budget never ends exactly how it starts. There’s a long road ahead and it might be premature to react. That said, medications are not taxed in Montana so objections to singling out cannabis for taxation make sense. The average patient spending $200 per month would be looking at a $12 per month increase in cost. On the other hand, we recognize that the more the program is integrated into state government, the safer the program [...]
Before They Start Reporting the Results Tonight
The MTCIA would like to extend their appreciation to all the patients willing to share their lives and private challenges in order to help thousands of their fellow Montanans. We thank the providers and others who stepped up to assure the effort to protect medical marijuana access was undertaken professionally and with the tools necessary to succeed. We extend further thanks to the larger team, the helpers and tipsters, those who called in with useful information and ideas. We thank those [...]
I-182 and Polls
How do you know the Mason-Dixon poll question on the medical marijuana initiative, I-182, is a politically-driven push poll, and how does the polling change when you use the actual ballot language rather than the mischaracterizing rhetoric? Here’s how the Billings Gazette reported the poll question was framed: “This ballot measure would allow wide use of medical marijuana, undoing many restrictions passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature in 2015." (It was actually 2011. They changed it in their news story when they [...]
Does Rep. Zinke Stand with Zabawa Against Medical Marijuana Access in Montana?
Why is the MTCIA concerned that Steve Zabawa sits on Representative Ryan Zinke’s health care policy advisory committee? Back in 2011, Steve Zabawa wanted in on the medical marijuana program in Montana. He wanted 10% of a provider’s income on top of the rent for a Zabawa-owned commercial property. Today, Steve Zabawa is a one-man band making the political talk circuit in Montana speaking against I-182 which creates an accountable and responsible state medical marijuana program. Mind you, he knows Montanans [...]
Protecting the Continuum of Access: the MTCIA Files for a Stay on MT Supreme Court Decision Pending SCOTUS Review
On June 14, 2016, the MTCIA filed for a stay on the Montana Supreme Court’s decision to allow SB 423 to go into full effect on August 31, 2016. This stay is requested until the U.S. Supreme Court resolves all matters related to the case or until the citizens’ initiative to pass an accountable, responsible medical marijuana law (I-182) is decided by the voters in November, should it qualify for the ballot. (We feel confident it will do so.) The State [...]
MTCIA Files Appeal to SCOTUS
On February 25, 2016, after five years of legal wrangling, the Montana Supreme Court ruled in favor of the State and allowed the 2011 law to go into near full effect, thereby, for all practical purposes, wiping out access to medical marijuana in Montana. “In that decision,” Cholewa said, “the Court said they were compelled to reach the decision they did because of the federal illegal status of marijuana. However, as our attorney Jim Goetz spells out in his brief, under [...]
What Makes A Candidate “Good” on the Issue of Medical Marijuana Policy?
What makes candidates good on medical cannabis (marijuana) policy is not as simple as do they support medical access. Of course, this simple question, do you support access to medical marijuana?, serves as the most foundational question, but does a voter need to know more in order to make a judgement about whether to support a candidate based on their position on this issue? Below are some further questions a voter might consider. If a candidate says s/he supports medical use:Does [...]
Protecting Access for Five Years – and into the Future
It was on April 28, five years ago, that SB 423 passed both chambers during the 2011 legislative session. It was legislation drawn up hastily in the final hours of the session, crafted with the goal of dismantling access to medical marijuana in Montana and getting, as many said at the time, “as close to repeal as possible.” The very next day, April 29, the MTCIA brought together a group of people to find a way to protect access in a crisis [...]
I-182 Progressing, No Down Time
This week’s court decision was disturbing and we know concern and frustration continues to plague those who care about access to medical marijuana and creating more just policy in relation to cannabis. The signature campaign to put a new, responsible and accountable medical marijuana law in place, however, is moving along well. Signature gatherers for I-182 are generally exceeding the 10 signature per hour goal. The goal for the first week was 2000 signatures, given new staff. But this staff collected [...]
MT Supreme Court Votes to Postpone Implementation of 2011 Medical Marijuana Law Only Until August 31, 2016
"This is devastating for cancer patients, seizure victims, people in hospice, and other Montanans and their families across the state,” said Kate Cholewa, spokesperson for the Montana Cannabis Industry Association (MTCIA). Today the Montana Supreme Court responded to the MTCIA’s petition to delay the implementation of their February 25th decision. The MTCIA requested until after the next legislature. But the court ruled that it would go into effect Aug. 31, 2016. The order stated: “IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the effective [...]
420: A Fine Day to Protect Access
Happy 420 to all. Signature gathering has begun for I-182 to protect access to medical marijuana and create an accountable, responsible regulatory foundation for the system. Marine Corps veteran Taylin Lang and cancer patient Katie Mazurek did an outstanding job yesterday making it clear why a new medical marijuana law for Montana is so important at this time. We also saw yesterday the conversion of Larry Jent, Democratic candidate for Montana’s Attorney General. Jent was the only Democrat on the Montana [...]
MTCIA thanks Kalispell and gears up for Court
Thanks to everyone who turned out for the mixer/fundraiser in Kalispell on Saturday night. The team there - Ian, Jimmy, Tara, Dani, and Roger - put together good food and good music for the evening. The band, Monkey and the Roast Beef Sandwich, will also be playing at the first ever Marijuana Aid: CANNAFEST DESTINY on July 23 at Ryan Creek Meadows. For more information on CANNAFEST DESTINY, contact Ed Docter (ed@mtcia.org). Next stop, Missoula on Thursday, June 23 at the [...]
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