MEDICAL MARIJUANA NEEDS REFORM, NOT REPEAL

An open appeal to the members of the Montana Legislature: Please vote
no on House Bill 161! Montana's medical cannabis law needs to be
reformed, not repealed. The only thing worse than repeal would be to
do nothing.

There are currently more than 27,000 Montanans registered with the
Department of Public Health and Human Services. Repealing Initiative
148 would make their actions, and the actions of the more than 4,800
caregivers, criminal. Is the judicial system in the state prepared to
process all of those people? Is law enforcement prepared, and
appropriately staffed, to handle that many people? How much will that
cost the taxpayers of Montana?

Solutions for Montana, in conjunction with the Montana Medical
Growers Association, has created the "2011 Legislators' Guide to
Medical Cannabis: A Guide to Medical Cannabis in the State of
Montana." The guide, delivered to legislators on Jan. 14, contains
recommendations and solutions to the major issues surrounding the
current Montana Medical Marijuana Act and was designed to serve as an
informative resource for the Legislature when considering its reform.

The fact is medical cannabis is greatly improving the quality of life
and productivity of patients suffering a wide variety of medical
conditions. The actions of a select few have cast a shadow on the
legal and ethical behavior of the majority of patients and caregivers
in the state. Repeal is not the answer. Reform, done in cooperation
with law enforcement officials and the responsible caregivers of
Montana, can serve to find a solution that is beneficial to all.

The compassionate medical cannabis legislation currently on the books
embodies core Montana values.

Please don't take away precious patient freedoms. Thank you for your
consideration.

Danna Goldhaber,

Executive director,

Solutions for Montana,

Ennis