[Mtnorml-list] Two marijuana bills to be voted on in a few days - how you can help

[Montana NORML]

All right folks, it is now time for you to act.

We must urge our representatives in Helena to reject one bill and 
embrace another, immediately. Both of these will be heard by legislative 
committees next week.

If you can attend either hearing in Helena, please coordinate with 
Patients & Families United: info at mtpfu.org


30-second summaries of each bill:

Senate Bill 212 - We must reject this one.
------------------------------------------
* revokes medical card for any violation of # plants, amount of mj, etc
* requires *roadside blood tests* for patients who get pulled over!

HEARING: Tuesday Jan 20, 9AM, Room 303 (Helena Capitol)
BILL LANGUAGE: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/SB0212.htm


House Bill 73 - We support this one!
------------------------------------------
* allows additional medical professionals to sign registrations
* extends card expiration date for permanent conditions

HEARING: Wednesday, Jan 21, 3PM, Room 157 (Helena Capitol)
BILL LANGUAGE: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/HB0073.htm


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
                      WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

** SHOW UP! **
If you can attend either hearing, PLEASE coordinate with Patients & 
Families United: info at mtpfu.org -- there is a limited amount of 
financial support to help people cover food, lodging, travel expenses.


** CONTACT LEGISLATORS **

Your message can be short and sweet:

"Hi, this is [YOUR NAME] calling from [YOUR TOWN]. I am 
[CALLING/WRITING] to urge you to support HB 73, an act to improve 
Montana's medical marijuana laws."

"Hi, this is [YOUR NAME] calling from [YOUR TOWN]. I am 
[CALLING/WRITING] to urge you to reject SB 212, an invasive proposal 
that would needlessly harm patients and damage Montana's medical 
marijuana laws."

Or you can go into more detail -- the legislators are busy though, so 
keep it as short as you can.


** CALL **

Call the Session Information Desk at *406-444-4800* to leave a message 
for as many as five legislators or one legislative committee per call; 
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 8 a.m. to 
adjournment on Saturdays.  (Keep reading below for who to call!)


** EMAIL **

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


It is particularly important for the legislators on the committees 
reviewing these two bills to hear from communities they represent, so 
here's an overview of whom to contact:

*House Human Services Committee - "Please support HB 73!"*
* Arlene Becker, chairperson (D-Billings)
* Mary Caffero, vice-chair (D-Helena)
* Pat Ingraham, vice-chair (R-Thompson Falls)
* Bill Beck (R-Whitefish)
* Julie French (D-Scobey) – the bill’s sponsor!
* Tim Furey (D-Milltown)
* David Howard (R-Park City)
* Chuck Hunter (D-Helena)
* Dave McAlpin (D-Missoula)
* Michael More (R-Gallatin Gateway)
* Pat Noonan (D-Ramsay)
* Ken Peterson (R-Billings)
* Diane Sands (D-Missoula)
* Cary Smith (R-Billings)
* Ron Stoker (R-Darby)
* Jeff Wellborn (R-Dillon)



*Senate Judiciary Committee - "Please REJECT SB 212!"*
* Sen. Gary Perry, chairman (R-Manhattan)
* Sen. Jim Shockley, vice-chair (R-Victor)
* Sen. Aubyn Curtiss (R-Fortine)
* Sen. John Esp (R-Big Timber)
* Sen. Greg Hinkle (R-Thompson Falls)
* Sen. Larry Jent (D-Bozeman)
* Sen. Carol Juneau (D-Browning)
* Sen. Jesse Laslovich (D-Anaconda)
* Sen. Dan McGee (R-Laurel)
* Sen. Lynda Moss (D-Billings)
* Sen. Terry Murphy (R-Cardwell)



The five minutes it takes YOU to call or email might make all the 
difference needed!

Most people expect "someone else" to get involved. *Why not you?* It 
takes 5 minutes. Make the call. Send the email. Show up!



More news soon,


John Masterson
Montana NORML
http://www.montananorml.org
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4730742559