[Mtnorml-list] How marijuana laws are created and destroyed in Montana

[Montana NORML]

In Montana, like other states, we have lots of laws, some of which are 
about marijuana. Like our medical marijuana law (which is threatened - 
keep reading), and the law that defines growing a single plant as a 
felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

These laws don't just spring into being. They are invented and voted on 
by regular people who represent various communities in Montana, 
including yours.

Every two years, these legislators convene in Helena and, over the 
course of a few short months, update 'the law of the land' in Montana.

Two of them represent you and your neighborhood. You can call and email 
them and give them advice.


In a moment I'll tell you how, but first here's a reason to care:


By my count, there are SIX marijuana bills that will either be voted 
down or become the law of the land in Montana very soon.

While the details aren't clear yet, it appears that three bills aim to 
restrict the scope of the medical marijuana law, or create new penalties 
for patients, or require roadside blood tests for patients, or even give 
law enforcement free access to the caregivers list, or the ability to 
inspect gardens at any time.


On the other hand, two bills seek to improve the medical marijuana law, 
by allowing rural medical professionals like Nurse Practitioners and 
Physicians Assistants to sign the registration paperwork, and allow 
patients to grow enough plants and store enough medicine to ensure a 
continuous supply.

And one seeks to remove criminal penalties for small amounts of marijuana.


Montana's a small state, population-wise. That means your voice counts 
MORE. A simple voice mail or handwritten letter to the people that are 
deciding on these bills can have a big impact when it comes time for 
them to vote.


I'll be sending out details of the bills in question as they become 
available. For now, I am asking you to nail down out who is representing 
*you* in Helena.

Here's how:

Click here: http://nris.mt.gov/gis/legislat/2009/

1) Click down to your neighborhood and find the legislators' names (One 
from the House District, and one from the Senate District you live in). 
Write them down.

Wait, you're not done yet.

2) Now find their contact info for each:

  http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/61st/roster.asp?HouseID=1&SessionID=94

  http://leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/61st/roster.asp?HouseID=2&SessionID=94

3) Click on their names and collect their phones and email addresses.


4) Finally, bookmark this page: 
http://leg.mt.gov/css/sessions/61st/legwebmessage.asp


We'll send out more info about these marijuana bills (the good, the bad, 
and the downright ugly) in the coming weeks.

Be ready!


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


P.S. - be a friend and purchase something from our Marijuana Mega Mart 
(powered by Amazon): http://www.montananorml.org/store/
Thanks!