Jacob Bell
New Member
With little fanfare or discussion Monday night, the Billings City Council unanimously approved a pair of ordinances dealing with medical marijuana.
The first vote extended for another year an emergency ordinance that prohibits the opening of any new businesses that grow, sell or distribute medical marijuana.
The second vote approved on first reading an ordinance that would permanently prohibit the operation of "storefront" medical marijuana businesses in the city of Billings.
Chris Lindsey, a Missoula attorney who represented a former medical marijuana provider who filed suit over another emergency ordinance, this one banning storefront dispensaries, told the council he was satisfied with both ordinances and would most likely withdraw the lawsuit.
The suit was filed on behalf of William "Mort" Reid, the Eastern Division president of the Montana Cannabis Industry Association. He told the council Monday night that he, too, was satisfied with the new ordinances.
He and Lindsey commended City Attorney Brent Brooks for working with them to find language acceptable to all parties.
Brooks had explained to the council earlier that an extension of the ordinance banning new medical marijuana businesses was needed because of "the evolving nature of this issue."
The 2011 Montana Legislature passed a law greatly restricting the sale and distribution of medical marijuana, and when portions of the law were thrown out by a judge in Helena, the state appealed to the Supreme Court.
As that case continues, the Montana Cannabis Industry Association is trying to get a referendum on the ballot in 2012 to overturn the law entirely.
The new ordinance, which still has to be approved on second reading, would prohibit any open and visible display of marijuana, marijuana products or depictions of marijuana visible from outside such a business.
The ordinance also prohibits providers from allowing anyone on the premises except medical marijuana cardholders registered to that provider, or people seeking to become cardholders.
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: billingsgazette.com
Author: Ed Kemmick
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: The Billings Gazette
Website: City Council passes pair of medical marijuana ordinances
The first vote extended for another year an emergency ordinance that prohibits the opening of any new businesses that grow, sell or distribute medical marijuana.
The second vote approved on first reading an ordinance that would permanently prohibit the operation of "storefront" medical marijuana businesses in the city of Billings.
Chris Lindsey, a Missoula attorney who represented a former medical marijuana provider who filed suit over another emergency ordinance, this one banning storefront dispensaries, told the council he was satisfied with both ordinances and would most likely withdraw the lawsuit.
The suit was filed on behalf of William "Mort" Reid, the Eastern Division president of the Montana Cannabis Industry Association. He told the council Monday night that he, too, was satisfied with the new ordinances.
He and Lindsey commended City Attorney Brent Brooks for working with them to find language acceptable to all parties.
Brooks had explained to the council earlier that an extension of the ordinance banning new medical marijuana businesses was needed because of "the evolving nature of this issue."
The 2011 Montana Legislature passed a law greatly restricting the sale and distribution of medical marijuana, and when portions of the law were thrown out by a judge in Helena, the state appealed to the Supreme Court.
As that case continues, the Montana Cannabis Industry Association is trying to get a referendum on the ballot in 2012 to overturn the law entirely.
The new ordinance, which still has to be approved on second reading, would prohibit any open and visible display of marijuana, marijuana products or depictions of marijuana visible from outside such a business.
The ordinance also prohibits providers from allowing anyone on the premises except medical marijuana cardholders registered to that provider, or people seeking to become cardholders.
News Hawk- Jacob Ebel 420 MAGAZINE
Source: billingsgazette.com
Author: Ed Kemmick
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: The Billings Gazette
Website: City Council passes pair of medical marijuana ordinances
