[Mtnorml-list] Two more medical marijuana bill hearings - THIS FRIDAY

[Montana NORML]

Friends,

The legislature is still in session, and the rolling thunder of 
marijuana bills continues. This Friday at 3PM in the Helena capitol 
(Room 317), there will be two more considered, and your assistance is 
needed immediately.


THE BILLS:

* SB-325 would clarify that registered caregivers can't use medical 
marijuana unless they also are registered as patients.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/SB0325.htm


* SB-326 is the bill Patients & Families United (http://mtpfu.org) 
developed with the goal of *greatly* improving the law, to make it 
easier for patients to maintain a supply of the medicine they need 
(allow six MATURE plants and 12 oz usable).  The bill also would add 
important medical conditions as "qualifying" under the law (PTSD, 
Alzheimer's, insomnia, painful menstruation) and would clarify that 
one's status as a patient can't be used as a basis for terminating 
employment, curtailing child custody rights, or interfering with 
renter/tenant rights.
http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/SB0326.htm


HOW YOU CAN HELP:

* SHOW UP: Patients & Families United is hosting a luncheon for patients 
and supporters on Friday. Contact info at mtpfu.org for details.

* CALL 406-444-4800: Leave a message for the Senate Public Health, 
Welfare and Safety Committee. "PLEASE SUPPORT SB 326")

* EMAIL: http://leg.mt.gov/css/sessions/61st/legwebmessage.asp

You want to contact the members of the Senate Public Health, Welfare and 
Safety Committee:

Sen. Roy Brown, chairman (R-Billings)
Sen. Terry Murphy, vice-chair (R-Cardwell)
Sen. Greg Hinkle (R-Thompson Falls)
Sen. Carol Juneau (D-Browning)
Sen. Cliff Larsen (D-Missoula)
Sen. Dave Lewis (R-Helena)
Sen. Trudi Schmidt (D-Great Falls)

(This is a different group of legislators than we've previously contacted.)

IMPORTANT MESSAGES:

* The six plant, one ounce limit isn't working. It's like being told you 
can have six tomato plants but only one tomato.

* The PTSD provision alone could assist our Montana veterans returning 
from war.


As always, be _brief_ and _respectful_.


PREVIOUS ALERTS:
http://mailapp.modwest.com/pipermail/mtnorml-list/2009-January/thread.html


Thanks for your interest and assistance.


--
John Masterson
Montana NORML
http://www.montananorml.org