MED MARIJUANA IS THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE

Editor:

During Montana's 2011 legislative session, 113 of our elected
representatives, in direct contradiction of the expressed will of 62
percent of the people, imposed their personal social agenda on the
rest of Montana by approving a repeal of Montana's medical marijuana law.

The lawmakers, after neglecting in several sessions to draft
thoughtful reform legislation, approved Sen. Jeff Essmann's 33-page
repeal bill and proudly announced to the 276,042 Montana voters who
approved the state's original law (Initiative 148) that they were
simply fulfilling voter intent.

To combat this legislative action, the Initiative Referendum 124
campaign was launched. If successful, Montana voters will have the
opportunity in 2012 to vote on this unpopular -- and recently ruled
unconstitutional -- piece of legislation.

What happened to the will of the people?

This is an opportunity to assert your rights as a Montana resident. A
legislative repeal of a citizens initiative sets a dangerous
precedent and, regardless of how Montanans actually feel about
medical marijuana, it is difficult to understand how anyone could
argue against empowering voters by allowing them to choose the fate
of the law. Time will tell whether this was or wasn't what Montanans
voted for, but voter intent should be decided by voters.

If you are interested in helping with our efforts, would like to sign
the petition, or desire more information, we'd love to hear from you.
Visit our website, www.patientsforreform.org, or call (406) 208-0204,
and I will put you in contact with a trained petitioner in your area.

Nicole French,

Eastern Zone coordinator,

Patients for Reform Not Repeal Initiative Reform