PURPOSE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION UNCLEAR

In response to the article in The Gazette regarding the recent
confusion behind the medical marijuana situation, I have to ask what
is the goal behind this legislation?

After reading the fiscal notes attached to the bill, I wonder if the
sponsor is on something. The cost involved for changing the law is
ridiculous at best, and what is the goal? To wipe out an industry of
medical marijuana? This undercover repeal of a voted-in law reminds me
of how in the '80s Reagan days, the war on drugs was hyped up with
billions of appropriated funds to fight the uncatchable criminals,
which later, not hyped to the public, was cut by more than 50 percent
in less than a year.

Regardless of the voter result in 2012, the industry will be in
existence. It's just a matter of being underground or up front and
legal. I say we spend the energy and money on putting this industry
into the taxable arena of tobacco and liquor, creating funds, not
costing funds, by putting "pot heads" in jail as the Gestapo tactics
suggested in this bill would do. The City Council is moving toward
control (finally) by utilizing their power by removing what may be the
central issue with this industry, store fronts, out of its city
limits. The industry is agriculture-based anyway and should be a
county regulated industry, which would be more controllable and more
profitable for all involved. The set-up is already in place on a state
level, which will get their chunk of change through the Human Services
Department.

Rick Brodston

Billings