SCHWEITZER VISITS MEDICAL MARIJUANA CLINIC

MISSOULA (AP) -- During his first visit to a medical marijuana
clinic, Gov. Brian Schweitzer reaffirmed his support for the industry
while repeating his view that new legislation governing it is
imminent and necessary.

The governor met with Rick Rosio, president and CEO of Missoula's
Montana Pain Management, on Thursday and heard about the challenges
facing professional medical marijuana caregivers in Montana.

Rosio said the lack of regulation and standardized business practices
hurts his business as much as it worries those who are unfamiliar
with the applications and benefits of medical marijuana. He also
portrayed his business as a legitimate operation, pointing out that
he pays taxes and noting his business has been acquired by a publicly
traded company based in Colorado.

Schweitzer said earlier this month legalization of medical marijuana
has not worked out as voters planned and that the state needs a
legislative fix. His comments were spurred by his belief that there
are some in Montana who are smoking medical marijuana even if they don't need it