Pubdate: Wed, 09 Mar 2011 Source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle (MT) Copyright: 2011 The Bozeman Daily Chronicle Contact: http://bozemandailychronicle.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1686 Author: Cheryl Pompper MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW NEEDS FIXING, NOT REPEAL Kudos to the Bozeman Chronicle for the recent editorial on medical cannabis. They were correct in saying I-148 should be fixed not repealed. To have a bill repealed that was voted in by Montanans says our representatives are working on their own personal agendas and not listening to the people that voted them into office. Here's a chance to fix a law that was passed several years ago and make it work for people who actually use medical cannabis for health reasons and a better quality of life. Passing HB-161 will only push cannabis back into the underground world with no controls. A member of my family (college-educated) is part of a cannabis corporation in the area. This one medical cannabis business has put close to $1 million into the Bozeman area. Year round, they employ nearly 20 taxpaying people. They rent several offices and their employees are local, so they pay rent, buy groceries, dine out, shop, locally. This one business (and many more, I'm sure), their employees and the money they generate and spend locally will be leaving Montana to seek work elsewhere if HB-161 passes. Montana has felt the recession and there are not a lot of jobs available. The local economy has had a huge boost as electricians, construction workers, gardening supply stores, etc., have all benefited. I haven't met anyone that is directly or indirectly affected by the medical cannabis industry who complains when they deposit money in their banks. Is it smarter to fix the loopholes in the present law or lose tens of millions of dollars spent locally by people involved in medical cannabis businesses? I urge everyone to call their senators and governor to express to them exactly what the Bozeman Chronicle said, "Fix it, don't repeal it." No on HB 161. Cheryl Pompper Livingston - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.