From norml at montananorml.org Wed Mar 4 19:09:31 2009 From: norml at montananorml.org (Montana NORML) Date: Wed Mar 4 19:10:45 2009 Subject: [Mtnorml-list] quick legislative update Message-ID: <49AF345B.4000602@montananorml.org> Friends, The most immediate action we need to take is in support of HB 541, a bill which would remove criminal penalties for possession of less than an ounce -- for any adult. http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/HB0541.htm The hearing is Tuesday morning the 10th at 8AM. This would be a good time to ask the boss/spouse/kids for the day off, arrange for transportation, etc. I will have a more detailed update late this week. Meanwhile, SB-326, the medical marijuana improvement bill, passed the Senate last week and so now must be considered by the House. The state's website says the hearing may be on March 20th, so that's another one to plan for. Finally, two questions: 1) Been busted in Montana? Tell your story: http://www.montananorml.org/Busted.html 2) Any interest in a Missoula card-carrying patients/caregivers meeting later this spring (after the legislative session is over)? -- John Masterson Montana NORML http://www.montananorml.org (brand spanking new site, check it!) From norml at montananorml.org Mon Mar 9 09:37:40 2009 From: norml at montananorml.org (Montana NORML) Date: Mon Mar 9 09:40:57 2009 Subject: [Mtnorml-list] TODAY: Urge legislators to support HB-541 Message-ID: <49B537C4.4040404@montananorml.org> Friends, I need your help today. This is important: Tomorrow morning, the House Judiciary Committee will hear about HB-541, a bill which would remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Possession of one ounce or less would be subject to a $50 fine similar to a parking ticket. Today's the day to contact all the members of the House Judiciary Committee who will be considering the bill tomorrow morning. Here's what you can do: ** Show Up: Tuesday March 10th, 8AM, Room 137 ** Call: 406-444-4800 Ask to leave a message for all members of the HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE. Your message can be simply "Please support HB-541", or something longer like "Please support HB-541 for Safer, Smarter law enforcement priorities". ** Email: http://leg.mt.gov/css/sessions/61st/legwebmessage.asp Here are the members it is especially important that we all contact: ? Rep. Mike Menehan, D-Helena ? Rep. Bob Ebinger, D-Livingston ? Rep. Ken Peterson, R-Billings ? Rep. Michael More, R-Gallatin Gateway ? Rep. Bob Wagner, R-Harrison ? Rep. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell The full list of Judiciary Committee members is here: http://leg.mt.gov/css/House/house%20committees.asp In politely urging each member to support HB-541, here's some information prepared by our friends at CRCP (responsiblecrimepolicy.org) you may wish to share: ? Montana is spending far too many tax dollars to arrest/prosecute people for having small amounts of marijuana ? this is a failed policy that has had no effect on marijuana use, but that does destroy lives and create other social costs. ? HB 541 would free up time and other resources for law enforcement, prosecutors and courts to focus more on violence and property crimes, too many of which go unsolved and more of which could be prevented by redirecting our priorities. ? It?s time to try decriminalizing minor marijuana possession ? 13 other states have done it, many dating back to the 1970s, and research has found no increases in use along with decreases in other crimes, all on top of saved or redirected tax dollars. ? More money should focus on violent and property crime ? minor marijuana possession by adults should NOT be a spending priority, and no positive purpose is served by criminalizing it. It is time to try a new approach. ? Most important, it is time for this issue to receive a full debate and vote on the floor of the House. Vote against it on the floor if the facts ultimately lead you to that conclusion ? but give Montanans the courtesy of allowing a full airing and consideration of this proposal. Read the bill here: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/HB0541.htm Please take action today. Onwards, John Masterson Montana NORML http://www.montananorml.org/ (new site!) From norml at montananorml.org Tue Mar 10 17:48:42 2009 From: norml at montananorml.org (Montana NORML) Date: Tue Mar 10 18:16:47 2009 Subject: [Mtnorml-list] HB-541 Hearing went well -- your calls and emails still needed Message-ID: <49B6FC5A.3060308@montananorml.org> Friends, After a pre-dawn drive to Helena with a carload of diverse reform-minded citizens, we arrived in sub-zero Helena and quickly found our hearing room. Minutes later, the hearing for HB-541, which would REMOVE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA, had been rescheduled to a few hours later. We compared notes and reviewed our prepared testimony and finally were called in to present. Representative Brady Wiseman (Bozeman), the bill's sponsor, led the discussion with an intro to the issue and the bill: - only affects adults - $50 fine for under 30 grams of mj - no arrest permitted (if the marijuana/pipe is the ONLY offense of course) Next to the proponents (that's us). There were 8 of us there, and we covered the bases well. My 5 minutes hammered on three themes: Current marijuana policy is EXPENSIVE, HURTS PEOPLE, and is INEFFECTIVE. True, true, and true. Three opponents spoke, representing law enforcement and prosecutors. I'm not sure if their heart wasn't quite in it, or we had preemptively demolished their arguments, but their performance was lackluster. Anyway, the hearing seems to have gone extremely well. This bill has a chance to make it out of the committee... If you and your friends help. (Forward this email to five other Montanans and you get bonus points!) The committee may vote on the bill later this week, so there's a bit more time to get your calls and emails in. Here are the representatives we believe especially need to hear from voters, particularly in the regions they represent. ? Rep. Bob Wagner, R-Harrison ? Rep. Mike Menehan, D-Helena ? Rep. Bob Ebinger, D-Livingston ? Rep. Ken Peterson, R-Billings ? Rep. Michael More, R-Gallatin Gateway ? Rep. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell By now you should know the drill: The phone number for leaving messages for legislators is: 406-444-4800. The fax number for reaching House members is: 406-444-4825 You can email legislators here (use back-space to send the same message to multiple legislators quickly): http://leg.mt.gov/css/sessions/61st/legwebmessage.asp Let them know to PLEASE SUPPORT HB-541, along with whatever personal and respectful note you wish. Some ideas here: http://mailapp.modwest.com/pipermail/mtnorml-list/2009-March/000107.html The bill: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/HB0541.htm If you want to start planning a trip to Helena to help marijuana law reform, your next opportunity will be March 20th, when good old SB-326, the medical marijuana improvement bill that increases plants, adds new conditions, and allows patients to obtain medicine from any caregiver, will be heard by the House Human Services Committee. More on that in a separate email. Onwards, John Masterson Montana NORML http://www.montananorml.org From norml at montananorml.org Fri Mar 13 19:28:07 2009 From: norml at montananorml.org (Montana NORML) Date: Fri Mar 13 19:28:52 2009 Subject: [Mtnorml-list] Hemp hearing in Helena Tuesday Mar 17th Message-ID: <49BB0827.6090206@montananorml.org> Friends, No action on HB541, yet. This just in from our friend Angela: ===================== The hearing for Senate Joint Resolution #20 ("Urge Congress to legalize industrial hemp" ) is scheduled for next Tuesday, the 17th at 3 p.m., in the House Ag Committee- Room 472- there is only one other resolution on the schedule for that day. SO, the hearing on this resolution should be shortly after 3. PLEASE if you can at all make this hearing- that would be so wonderful. As 3 of the 4 proponents CANNOT be there for the House hearing- I need to find some more people. I would be happy to give Capitol tours that day. Please think about it- bring your kids if you want. ===================== Contact Angela at: angela.goodhope@gmail.com -- John Masterson Montana NORML http://www.montananorml.org From norml at montananorml.org Fri Mar 20 10:03:06 2009 From: norml at montananorml.org (Montana NORML) Date: Fri Mar 20 10:04:43 2009 Subject: [Mtnorml-list] ACTION ALERT: Hearing TODAY Friday - 3/20 - Urge legislators to support SB 326 Message-ID: <49C3BE3A.8010105@montananorml.org> Friends, We urgently need your help! TODAY, the House Human Services Committee hearing on SB 326 begins promptly at 3 pm in room 152 of the capitol building. Just a few weeks ago, the Senate passed SB 326 ? a medical marijuana program-improvement bill ? with only a few amendments. Now, it is vital that members of the House Human Services Committee understand how this legislation will greatly contribute to the future security and well-being of the state?s medical marijuana patients. Here's what you can do: ** Attend the hearing in person. ** Call: 406-444-4800 ** Fax: 406-444-4825 Ask to leave a message for all members of the HOUSE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE. Your message can be simply "Please support SB 326" or, something longer like "Medical marijuana is invaluable to patients - please support SB 326". House Human Services Committee 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) 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) In politely urging each member to support SB 326, here's some information prepared by our friends at Patients & Families United (mtpfu.org) you may wish to share: * Medical marijuana is invaluable to patients ? and Montana voters overwhelmingly want patients with physician recommendations to have access to the medicine they need. SB 326 is designed to make it much easier for patients to be assured of success. * SB 326 will make it easier for patients and their caregivers to grow steady supplies of medical marijuana. It also will allow patients (and caregivers) to turn for help from other caregivers when their own gardens aren?t ready yet. * The current law is far too restrictive. For patients who need to ingest (rather than vaporize or smoke) their medicine, it is virtually impossible to function legally under the current law. Even with the improvements of SB 326, patients and their caregivers combined would only be allowed to possess at any time the equivalent of 3-weeks of medicine under the regime the federal government uses for its medical marijuana program (the feds distribute 8 ounces per month to patients; SB 326 allows a total of 6 ounces for patient/caregiver combined). * SB 326 embraces the spirit of the decision Montana voters made ? which, in turn, was summarized by President George W. Bush in his 2007 State of the Union address: ?In all we do, we must remember that the best health care decisions are made not by government and insurance companies, but by patients and their doctors.? You can email legislators here (use back-spacing to make it easy to send the same message to multiple legislators quickly): http://leg.mt.gov/css/sessions/61st/legwebmessage.asp You can read the current version of SB 326 here: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billpdf/SB0326.pdf Please, take action now! Heather Masterson Montana NORML http://www.montananorml.org/ From norml at montananorml.org Wed Mar 25 19:04:17 2009 From: norml at montananorml.org (Montana NORML) Date: Wed Mar 25 19:09:36 2009 Subject: [Mtnorml-list] Decrim bill stalls, Medical bill needs your help NOW Message-ID: <49CAD491.1040609@montananorml.org> Friends, HB-541, the bill which would remove criminal penalties for less than 30 grams (~1oz), stalled recently in committee in a tie, 9-9. All the Democrats voted for it, all the Republicans voted against it. It continues to perplex me why this is a party-line issue, and further, don't the pundits say Dems wanting to control your life, and the Repubs want to get government off your back? The one Republican who seemed like he might support the bill was Rep. Bob Wagner (R-Harrison) -- now would be a good time to reach out to him and ask him to reconsider (contact info below). So, with a tie vote, the bill is stalled. There's a slim chance it'll see some further progress, but for now it's going nowhere. Meanwhile, SB-326, the medical marijuana improvement bill that would add qualifying conditions, increase the amount of marijuana a patient may possess, and allow patients to obtain marijuana from any caregiver, was given its day in the spotlight in the House Human Services Committee this past Friday. *Several dozen* patients and caregivers came out to Helena to speak in support of the bill, and by all accounts the hearing went very well. Next step is that the committee will vote on the bill, and that's where you come in. The members of this committee need to hear from you -- they need to hear from you that you are a Montanan, a voter, and you urge them to support SB-326. Contact info below, but first here's some bullet points suggested by our friends at Patients & Families United (http://mtpfu.org): * Medical marijuana is invaluable to patients ? and patients NEED the improvements in SB 326 to have consistent legal access to the medicine their doctors recommend. * Please make it legal for registered patients to obtain medicine from any registered caregiver when their own plants aren?t ready or they are failing in their own gardens. SB 326 gives freedom and safety to suffering patients. * Patients just want to have the medicine they need ? WITHOUT breaking any law! * The current law is far too restrictive. For patients who need to ingest (rather than vaporize or smoke) their medicine, it is virtually impossible to function legally under the current law. Even with the improvements of SB 326, patients and their caregivers combined would only be allowed to possess at any time the equivalent of 3-weeks of medicine under the regime the federal government uses for its medical marijuana program (the feds distribute 8 ounces per month to patients; SB 326 allows a total of 6 ounces for patient/caregiver combined). Here are the representatives that definitely need to hear from you right away: * Pat Ingraham, vice-chair (R-Thompson Falls) * Ron Stoker (R-Darby) * Jeff Wellborn (R-Dillon) (If none of those members vote for the bill, it is probably doomed.) Here's the rest of the committee members -- if you're from the communities they represent, it's particularly important and impactful for you to tell them to support SB-326: 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) 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) HOW TO CONTACT: The phone number for leaving messages for any legislator is: 406-444-4800 You can email any legislator here: http://leg.mt.gov/css/sessions/61st/legwebmessage.asp (use the back button to send the same message to multiple legislators quickly) Remember, we're in Montana, where the small population means your voice counts MORE. I'd sure like to hear from 50 people that they had contacted these legislators. It's quick, easy, and meaningful. Do it. And then let me know. Thanks for your help towards progress, John Masterson Montana NORML Working to Improve Marijuana Laws in Montana since 1998 http://montananorml.org From norml at montananorml.org Sat Mar 28 09:06:40 2009 From: norml at montananorml.org (Montana NORML) Date: Sat Mar 28 09:07:16 2009 Subject: [Mtnorml-list] Republicans block marijuana reform bills Message-ID: <49CE3D00.1090802@montananorml.org> Friends, ** SB-326 stalled in committee yesterday, on a party-line vote. All the Dems in support, all the Republicans in opposition. SB-326 would have added qualifying medical conditions, increased the amount of medicine a patient is allowed to possess, and allow patients to obtain marijuana from any caregiver. The bill is not totally dead, but unless a Republican changes their vote, the bill would need 60 votes in the full House to move forward. News here: http://www.helenair.com/articles/2009/03/28/legi/top/75st_090328_marijuana.txt ** HB-541, the decrim bill, is also likely dead. Again, a 100% party-line vote. If there's anything we can do to help revive these bills we will let you know. If the legislator that represents your neck of the woods had a hand in either result, you should definitely give them some feedback. ** One bit of a good news -- SJ-20, a resolution calling upon our congressfolk in DC to push forward with federal approval of industrial hemp, passed the House Ag committee unanimously. Onwards, John Masterson Montana NORML http://montananorml.org From norml at montananorml.org Mon Mar 30 07:03:36 2009 From: norml at montananorml.org (Montana NORML) Date: Mon Mar 30 07:05:58 2009 Subject: [Mtnorml-list] Help revive SB-326 today Message-ID: <49D0C328.9070208@montananorml.org> We're down to the wire. The party-line tie vote last week on SB-326 means it will take a critical mass of representatives to breath new life into the bill. Medical marijuana needs your help, today, now. As you may recall, SB-326 improves Montana's medical marijuana system by adding qualifying conditions, increasing the # of plants, and allowing patients to obtain medicine from any caregiver: http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/2009/billhtml/SB0326.htm This may be your last chance to help in this way for the next couple years. Please contact YOUR representative, let them know they are representing you ("I'm a constituent from your district."), and ask them to support SB-326. Here's how: 1) Find your House District rep: http://nris.mt.gov/gis/legislat/2009/ 2) Send them email here: http://leg.mt.gov/css/sessions/61st/legwebmessage.asp 3) and/or call to leave a message: 406-444-4800 Here are some bullet items to consider mentioning, prepared by our friends at Patients and Families United (http://mtpfu.org): * With 62% of Montana voters supporting the right of legal patients to have access to the medical marijuana their doctors recommend, SB 326 ? developed by patients ? deserves consideration by the full House of Representatives. * SB 326 would make it easier for patients to have the medicine they need, when they need it, without having to endure periods of time without medical marijuana. * SB 326 would allow a patient and caregiver combined to possess less than a one-month amount (75%) of what the federal government delivers in its medical marijuana supply program. (The federal government sends 8 ounces/per month to its patients; SB 326 would allow a patient and caregiver each to possess no more than 3 ounces.) This is a reasonable amount of medicine that will meet the needs of most patients. * SB 326 would allow the state health department to audit caregivers (growers of medical marijuana) ? new oversight that could help improve Montana?s medical marijuana program. Please carve 4 minutes out of your busy day today to take action on this. If not you, who? If not now, when? Onwards, John Masterson Montana NORML http://montananorml.org From norml at montananorml.org Tue Mar 31 21:08:27 2009 From: norml at montananorml.org (Montana NORML) Date: Tue Mar 31 21:09:43 2009 Subject: [Mtnorml-list] medical marijuana bill fails in House Message-ID: <49D2DAAB.4060108@montananorml.org> Friends, SB326, the medical marijuana improvement bill, failed to gather enough votes to move forward yesterday. It needed 60 votes, and got 47 (with a handful of exceptions, a party-line vote yet again). It is dead. HB-541, the decrim bill, is also toast. The good news: There was more marijuana legislation considered, and very nearly passed, in this legislature than any other in Montana's history. Legislators learned a LOT about marijuana, both medical use and the harms of generalized prohibition. This is the beginning of a wave that is sweeping the nation. Consider just a few recent headlines in mainstream sources: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/24/miron.legalization.drugs/ http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lopez29-2009mar29,0,88438.column http://www.hcn.org/wotr/decriminalizing-drugs-could-stop-the-violence-on http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/31/cafferty.legal.drugs/index.html http://www.parade.com/news/2009/03/why-we-must-fix-our-prisons.html One other bit of good news: SJR 20, a resolution that calls upon our congressfolk in Washington to begin the process of ending federal prohibition of hemp farming, passed the Montana Senate 49-1 and we project easy victory as it moves forward. So, while we came damn close, we did not succeed in passing any good marijuana reform bills this session. We can try again in two years, and I am optimistic of resounding success. While I try to avoid this sort of politicking, I have to say: If you think marijuana prohibition and the drug war are important topics and you want to see meaningful reform in Montana, elect Democrats! (And Libertarians, if they can win.) Finally, almost none of this would gotten as far as it did without the efforts of our friends at Patients & Families United (http://mtpfu.org/). They have worked 7 long days a week in Helena to identify legislative allies, build coalitions, tweak language, and inform lawmakers about medical marijuana and marijuana prohibition. If you can, send them a thank you card, and a check: Patients & Families United / doebare@aol.com PO Box 1471 Helena, MT 59624 Onwards and upwards, John Masterson Montana NORML http://montananorml.org