Medical marijuana has become one of the hottest topics facing lawmakers across the country.
Montana legalized medical marijuana in 2004 and today there are close to 15,000 registered patients in the Treasure State.
However several advocates and opponents are seeking ways in which to Fix the law or, in some cases, eliminate the law altogether.
A ballot initiative was proposed Tuesday asking voters to undo the legalization of marijuana , but it faces a strict mid-June deadline to qualify for the ballot.
State Representative Tom Berry of District House 45 is working to revise and add key details to the law. Berry says more strict registration and tracking mechanisms need to be implemented as a way to make sure growers, caregivers, and patients all follow the law.
"Right now there is very little oversight," Berry said. " My bill would allow the Department of Criminal Justice to come in and monitor and do inspections of the grower's operations, to make sure they are adhering to the state law of growing only six plants per patient. Part of my bill would also allow the Department of Revenue come in and see if these people are paying taxes on the amount of revenues they're bringing in."
In addition to inspections, Berry is proposing that medical marijuana providers be charged a 20 percent fee in order to hire those investigators monitoring grower operations.
Other key changes include a new definition: deleting the term "caregiver" and using "grower" or "provider" instead. He also wants a cap on the number of patients a grower can provide the drug to 3 patients.
While Berry knows applying all of his proposed revisions and additions may be a stretch, he says change must take place to protect citizens - especially young people - here in Montana.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Q2 KTVQ
Author: Kelly Werthmann
Copyright: 2010 KTVQ.com
Montana legalized medical marijuana in 2004 and today there are close to 15,000 registered patients in the Treasure State.
However several advocates and opponents are seeking ways in which to Fix the law or, in some cases, eliminate the law altogether.
A ballot initiative was proposed Tuesday asking voters to undo the legalization of marijuana , but it faces a strict mid-June deadline to qualify for the ballot.
State Representative Tom Berry of District House 45 is working to revise and add key details to the law. Berry says more strict registration and tracking mechanisms need to be implemented as a way to make sure growers, caregivers, and patients all follow the law.
"Right now there is very little oversight," Berry said. " My bill would allow the Department of Criminal Justice to come in and monitor and do inspections of the grower's operations, to make sure they are adhering to the state law of growing only six plants per patient. Part of my bill would also allow the Department of Revenue come in and see if these people are paying taxes on the amount of revenues they're bringing in."
In addition to inspections, Berry is proposing that medical marijuana providers be charged a 20 percent fee in order to hire those investigators monitoring grower operations.
Other key changes include a new definition: deleting the term "caregiver" and using "grower" or "provider" instead. He also wants a cap on the number of patients a grower can provide the drug to 3 patients.
While Berry knows applying all of his proposed revisions and additions may be a stretch, he says change must take place to protect citizens - especially young people - here in Montana.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Q2 KTVQ
Author: Kelly Werthmann
Copyright: 2010 KTVQ.com
