Pubdate: Wed, 16 Feb 2011 Source: Montana Standard (Butte, MT) Copyright: 2011 Danna Goldhaber Contact: http://www.mtstandard.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/609 Author: Danna Goldhaber REFORM, DON'T REPEAL MARIJUANA LAW An open appeal to the members of the Montana House of Representatives: Please vote "no"on HB-161. Montana's medical cannabis law needs to be reformed, not repealed. The only thing worse than repeal would be to do nothing. There are currently more than 27,000 Montanans registered with the Department of Public Health and Human Services. Repealing Initiative 148 would make their actions, and the actions of the more than 4,800 caregivers, criminal. Is the judicial system in the state prepared to process all of those people? Is Law Enforcement prepared, and appropriately staffed, to handle that many people? How much will that cost the taxpayers of Montana? Solutions for Montana, in conjunction with the Montana Medical Growers Association, has created The 2011 Legislators' Guide to Medical Cannabis, A Guide to Medical Cannabis in the State of Montana. The guide, delivered to legislators on Jan. 14, contains recommendations and solutions to the major issues surrounding the current Montana Medical Marijuana Act and was designed to serve as an informative resource for the Legislature when considering its reform. The fact is, medical cannabis is greatly improving the quality of life and productivity of patients suffering a wide variety of medical conditions. The actions of a select few have cast a shadow on the legal and ethical behavior of the majority of patients and caregivers in the State. Repeal is not the answer. Reform, done in cooperation with law enforcement officials and the responsible caregivers of Montana, can serve to find a solution that is beneficial to all. The compassionate medical cannabis legislation currently on the books embodies core Montana values. Please don't take away precious patient freedoms! Thank you for your consideration. Danna Goldhaber, Executive Director Solutions for Montana, Box 1370, Ennis - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D