| Graphic: Miami Beach 411 |
Never mind that an overwhelming 63 percent of residents voted to legalize medical marijuana in 2004. A prominent Montana Republican lawmaker wants to overturn the voter-passed law that legalized medicinal cannabis.
Senator Jim Shockley (R-Victor) on Monday requested a bill to be drafted for the 2011 Legislature to repeal the medical marijuana law, reports Jennifer McKee at the Helena Independent Record. Shockley claimed he believes marijuana has medical benefits and should remain legal, only in a “much more controlled way.”
| Montanans In Action |
| State Sen. Jim Shockley: “I think it breeds lawlessness” |
”It was a good idea, poorly executed,” Shockley said Tuesday. “I wouldn’t want everybody growing Percocet, either.” You’ve got a point, Jim — that would be bad for the profits of the big pharmaceutical companies, wouldn’t it? You know, kind of like… well, medical marijuana.
Montana’s medical marijuana law, as passed by almost two-thirds of state voters in 2004, allows state residents to get certifications from doctors to buy up to an ounce of marijuana at a time from licensed caregivers.
The state has more than 2,700 licensed caregivers, according to state records, and more than 15,000 citizens with medical marijuana cards.
The rapid growth of the medical pot industry — along with a handful of violent acts which mainstream press and law enforcement euphemistically say “involve medical marijuana businesses and growers,” but in reality are acts of violence against dispensaries perpetrated by wild-eyed anti-pot zealots — has prompted talk of a misguided “crackdown” on the industry around the state in recent months.
City councils across the state have voted to suspend new business licenses for medical marijuana businesses, and the Salish and Kooenai Confederated (or is that Confused?) Tribes voted to outlaw medical marijuana entirely for tribal members on the Flathead Indian Reservation.
According to the grandstanding hot-dogger Shockley, there has “been uncontrolled use of the drug.”
“I think it breeds lawlessness,” the professional politician said. Like bombing dispensaries, maybe, Jim? Oh, wait. The people doing that were on your side.
Shockley claimed an “appropriate, controlled system” of medical marijuana was “too complicated” for the legislative process. You hear that, Montana voters? Don’t worry your pretty little heads about the medical marijuana law you passed. Jim Shockley knows better!
“What I’m finding is that caregivers are very conscientious,” said Jason Crist, founder and executive director of Montana Caregivers Network, based in Missoula.
Caregivers “really want to do everything the right way, which I attribute to the kindness and compassion of Montanans for fellow Montanans,” Crist said.