MARIJUANA ORDINANCE IS A REASONABLE SOLUTION

When Bozeman's current city commissioners were running for office,
it's unlikely they anticipated they'd be taking up regulations for the
sale and use of marijuana. But life throws curve balls, and that's
just what they've had to deal with.

And, so far at least, it seems as they are doing it pretty
well.

Since Montanans voted to legalize the use of marijuana for certain
medical conditions in 2004, its use has exploded. As of the end of
May, more than 2,300 Gallatin County residents have registered for
medical marijuana use, and there are nearly 500 registered marijuana
providers, while the city of Bozeman has licensed 16 medical marijuana
shops.

City officials have reacted in a timely manner to the proliferation of
marijuana use, drafting an ordinance that prohibits the public use of
marijuana and provides for city inspections of marijuana shops, which
will be banned within 1,000 feet of schools. Coupled with existing
zoning laws, the ordinance will also outlaw shops in the core of
downtown or in homes in residential neighborhoods.

The ordinance was crafted through a transparent, three-and-a-half
month process that included the participation of everyone with a stake
in the issue - marijuana providers and school and law enforcement
officials. And, ironically, most providers welcome the new
regulations.

The proposal, which the commission will vote on in the coming weeks,
is a pragmatic approach to a complex problem. It also represents a
departure from other Montana cities that have banned medical marijuana
shops - bans that will undoubtedly face legal challenges in the future.

And, in fact, the Bozeman ordinance, when adopted, may need to be
tweaked in coming years as court cases set precedents and lawmakers
establish state laws governing medical marijuana use.

Montana is one of 14 states that have legalized the use of medical
marijuana. And, while there are movements afoot to repeal that Montana
law, those efforts face an uphill battle, given the fact that 62
percent of Montana voters approved the law in 2004.

The proposed Bozeman ordinance is a reasonable one that will
effectively control this new reality.