[Mtnorml-list] Another bad medical marijuana bill must be stopped

[Montana NORML]

Friends,

Thanks in part to vigorous opposition from you and other Montana 
citizens, a bad medical marijuana bill was defeated last month. Now 
there's a new threat to the medical marijuana program that we must stop.

HB 473 (http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/HB0473.htm) would gut 
the voter-approved law, and create new penalties for doctors and 
patients. If passed, HB 473:

* would subject patients and caregivers to immediate criminal 
prosecution for any violation of plant/weight limits
* would permanently revoke patient cards for any violation
* would make doctors criminally liable for certifying a non-qualifying 
patient
* would permanently revoke any patient card for conviction of any drug 
felony

The bill will be considered in the House Judiciary Commiittee on Friday 
morning at 8AM in room 137 in the capitol building in Helena.

== Here's what we all need to do: ==

*SHOW UP*:  The public is welcome to make brief respectful statements 
for or against any bill in committee.

*CALL 406-444-4800*: leave a message for the House Judiciary Committee 
(or any particular legislator, names below) urging them to vote NO to 
HB-473.


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

As always, brief and respectful will be the most productive approach. 
You might say something like:

"I'm a Montana voter and I urge you to vote NO on HB-473. The bill would 
create unnecessary and onerous new penalties for ailing patients and the 
doctors who care for them."


Rep. Ron Stoker, chairman (R-Darby)
Rep. Ken Peterson, vice-chair (R-Billings)
Rep. Deborah Kottel, vice-chair (D-Great Falls)
Rep. Arlene Becker (D-Billings)
Rep. Gerald Bennett (R-Libby)
Rep. Anders Blewett (D-Great Falls)
Rep. Robyn Driscoll (D-Billings)
Rep. Bob Ebinger (D-Livingston)
Rep. David Howard (R-Park City)
Rep. Krayton Kerns (R-Laurel)
Rep. Margaret McDonald (D-Billings)
Rep. Edith McClafferty (D-Butte)
Rep. Mike Menehan (D-Helena)
Rep. Michael More (R-Gallatin Gateway)
Rep. Keith Regier (R-Kalispell)
Rep. Diane Sands (D-Missoula)
Rep. Bob Wagner (R-Harrison)
Rep. Wendy Warburton (R-Havre)

If one of the above legislators is your representative 
(http://www.montananorml.org/legislation/2009/) in Helena, it's 
particularly important to contact them specifically. They serve you and 
your neighbors. Tell them how they can best do that.


More (positive) news soon,

John Masterson
Montana NORML
Busted? Tell your story: http://busted.montananorml.org/