SOME SAY MEDICAL MARIJUANA FEES COULD ASSIST STATE

Two Great Falls area men have a plan to stimulate state senior citizen
programs by using licenses and fees from medical marijuana operations
to restore money that is proposed to be cut from services to the elderly.

Grant Grenfell and Ken Lindeman are caregivers under the state's
medical marijuana program

After legislators meeting in Helena proposed cuts in state social
service and health programs, including services to older people, the
pair began pushing Senate Bill 154, sponsored by Sen. Dave Lewis,
R-Helena, regulating medical marijuana.

Grenfell said marijuana growers view money from licenses and fees as a
way to supplement senior citizen programs. He said half the proceeds
from licenses and fees would be used to make up for budget cuts to
senior programs.

"We're going to be replacing that," Grenfell said.

SB154 was heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 11, but no
vote had been taken through Friday.

"Whether you like it or not, it's here," Lewis said of medical
marijuana at a Feb. 11 hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Lewis said the medical marijuana business "was literally exploding in
size" in the Helena area two years ago.

Grenfell said some legislators might balk at using marijuana fees to
support social programs. However, Lindeman said conservatives like "to
look at dollars and cents," and he hopes legislators can be persuaded
that medical marijuana can help the state budget.

Grenfell, who is president of the Great Falls chapter of the Montana
Medical Growers Association, said the group invites senior citizens to
attend a Senior Day to hear about the legislation from 1 to 5 p.m.
March 18 at the 406 Club, formerly Murph's, at 5515 2nd Ave. N. Free
finger food and ice cream will be served.

The general public is invited to hear about the group's plan to
supplement state programs at 1 p.m. March 19 at Club 406.

Lindeman said perhaps half of the revenue created by the bill would go
to senior programs.

"We're focusing on the seniors and how we want to help them," Lindeman
said.

The Great Falls men noted that if legislators vote to repeal the
state's medical marijuana law the issue of regulating marijuana would
go away.

For more information, call Grenfell at 231-0109 or Lindeman at 788-3738.