MORE MEDICAL MARIJUANA CAREGIVERS SIGN UP

The number of those licensed in Butte-Silver Bow to operate as
medical marijuana caregivers jumped this week in response to a
proposed moratorium on the businesses.

Planning officials said eight new licenses were issued Wednesday in
the hours before council voted down the proposed moratorium.

"Most of them were trying to become grandfathered in case the
moratorium went in," said senior planner Lori Casey.

In all, 30 business licenses have been issued in the city-county for
medical marijuana caregivers. The eight processed Wednesday is
believed to be the most licenses for medical marijuana businesses
than any previous day, Casey said.

Council Chairman Dave Palmer had sought an emergency moratorium on
new licenses for those businesses to operate, but failed to garner
the needed votes to become law.

Palmer said he anticipates state lawmakers to implement new
guidelines for caregivers during the next Legislature, which convenes
in January.

He had hoped the city-county's moratorium would put a hold on new
caregivers until the Legislature has a chance to review the matter.

Voters in 2004 over-whelmingly legalized medical marijuana in Montana.