This November, Montana citizens will have the option to amend their state laws concerning medical marijuana. Initiative No.182 (I-182) is a law proposed by initiative petition, which residents of the state worked to collect valid signatures for. Although medical marijuana is already legal in the state of Montana, there are currently statewide restrictions on certified marijuana growers, caregivers, patients, and physicians. The proposed initiative will address these restrictions and change a few of them to better accommodate those that need their medicine.

I-182 addresses some of the state's major concerns for who has access to marijuana, who can provide, and who can write prescriptions. Under the bill, a treating physician can prescribe medical marijuana for chronic pain, PTSD, or any debilitating medical condition. It allows for licensed marijuana providers to have over three customers; lets them cultivate, dispense, and transport their products to their patients. It protects licensed marijuana business owners by making it illegal for unannounced facility inspections by law enforcement. Instead, the state would have annual, planned inspections.

Rational voters of Montana legalized medical marijuana in 2004 with nearly 62% of the vote. Initiative No.148 became a law shortly after. The law clearly outlined gives restrictions to patients, caregivers, and the marijuana business owners. This seemed to be fine for a number of years, as patients were treated, and businesses prospered; but around 2009, some had a problem with the number of people that were being prescribed with the green healer. Apparently, people started to care what others put into their own body, even if it didn’t affect them in any way. They were bothered by marijuana becoming normalized as a medicine that actually helped people. Medical marijuana had become this big scary idea that was actually working to treat thousands of people, and some folks didn’t like this. And what do we do as a nation when something scares us? We push for more restrictions, even though it doesn’t really solve the issues.

In 2011, a reactionary bill, SB 423, was introduced to the Montana legislature, and passed. This bill restricted the number of patients at large, reduced the number of patients a caregiver could grow and provide for, imposed strict rules on advertising, and running of marijuana businesses. Luckily, this bill didn’t go into effect immediately because it was challenged, and most of it was placed on hold until February of 2016. It was then that the court decided that restrictions were Constitutional, meaning on August 31, 2016, the bill went into effect. Unfortunately, most medical marijuana businesses will likely not be able to survive, which means a limited number of options for those who need specific medicinal products. Economically, there will be a loss of jobs in Montana because of this harmful legislation.

This November, we have the option to change parts of this legislation with a vote in favor of I-182.

Register to vote here, and vote yes on this bill. Vote yes to help patients restore access to their medicine, and save numerous businesses around the state.