420 Warrior
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Just like the constitution needed amending to end alcohol prohibition, so it needs an amendment to decriminalize marijuana, John Masterson said.
Masterson is the treasurer for a group called Montana First that is fighting to end criminal punishment for marijuana users 21 years and older. The organization would like to amend the Montana Constitution to say, "Adults have the right to responsibly purchase, consume, produce, and possess marijuana, subject to reasonable limitations, regulations, and taxation."
The ballot goes on to say that those activities must not endanger minors, children, or public safety.
"Basically, we're a ballot issue committee who want to end penalties for marijuana users," Masterson said.
Right now, Montana First is concerned with signature gathering. They began their crusade a few weeks ago, Masterson said, but they need to gather almost 50,000 signatures by June 22. If the amendment makes it to the ballot and passes, it would take effect July 1, 2013.
"We're tying to get an army of volunteers on the streets in multiple cities," he said. "We're training every volunteer to make sure everything is done by the book."
Masterson said people who don't use marijuana, or care about the issue, need to start caring.
"People have a stake in this issue if they're worried about government intrusion on their lives," he said. "Or if they have ever been victims or known victims of violent or unsolved crimes, because criminal justice resources are being misused to prosecute marijuana users."
Randy Warburton is spearheading the local signature gathering. Warburton and his volunteers have parked at the Co-op and Safeway in Bozeman and a recent Pinky and the Floyd rock concert to collect names.
On March 29, Warburton will set up at the Filling Station for a fundraising event. Local bands are donating their time to play and there will be a $5 minimum donation at the door. All the proceeds go straight back to Montana First, Warburton said.
In three weeks, Warburton has gathered about 1000 signatures and trained 40 volunteers. He feels confident that Montana First can decriminalize marijuana. "Absolutely it's going to happen," he said. "We need a high number of signatures because it a constitutional issue. But this would amend Montana's constitution."
Warburton said he has gotten names from people who believe in voter's rights, not just marijuana rights. He's also got signatures from people don't believe in prohibition.
"Our mission statement is that prohibition of alcohol didn't work," Warburton said. "Prohibition of marijuana also doesn't work."
Many medical marijuana providers agree with Montana First's mission, including Ewout van Garderen, owner of the Herb Pharmer.
"I think it should be legal. There is absolutely no evidence that it shouldn't be," he said. "People don't want to legalize because it's a healthy alternative to Prozac and all that crap. Pharmaceutical companies don't want to lose their profits."
Montana has long been inundated with marijuana talks, but mostly on medical front. At the end of April, the Montana Supreme Court will decide whether a judge's ruling to block part of Senate Bill 423 will stand.
The bill placed restrictions on the state's medical marijuana industry. Many state dispensary owners also blamed the bill for federal crackdowns on their businesses. Last year, District Judge Jim Reynolds blocked four of the strictest statutes from taking effect, including a ban on profits from medical marijuana sales.
News Hawk - 420 Warrior 420 MAGAZINE
Location: Belgrade, MT
Source: The Belgrade News
Author: Hannah Stiff
Contact: editor@belgrade-news.com
Copyright: © 2012, The Belgrade News
Website: www.belgrade-news.com
Masterson is the treasurer for a group called Montana First that is fighting to end criminal punishment for marijuana users 21 years and older. The organization would like to amend the Montana Constitution to say, "Adults have the right to responsibly purchase, consume, produce, and possess marijuana, subject to reasonable limitations, regulations, and taxation."
The ballot goes on to say that those activities must not endanger minors, children, or public safety.
"Basically, we're a ballot issue committee who want to end penalties for marijuana users," Masterson said.
Right now, Montana First is concerned with signature gathering. They began their crusade a few weeks ago, Masterson said, but they need to gather almost 50,000 signatures by June 22. If the amendment makes it to the ballot and passes, it would take effect July 1, 2013.
"We're tying to get an army of volunteers on the streets in multiple cities," he said. "We're training every volunteer to make sure everything is done by the book."
Masterson said people who don't use marijuana, or care about the issue, need to start caring.
"People have a stake in this issue if they're worried about government intrusion on their lives," he said. "Or if they have ever been victims or known victims of violent or unsolved crimes, because criminal justice resources are being misused to prosecute marijuana users."
Randy Warburton is spearheading the local signature gathering. Warburton and his volunteers have parked at the Co-op and Safeway in Bozeman and a recent Pinky and the Floyd rock concert to collect names.
On March 29, Warburton will set up at the Filling Station for a fundraising event. Local bands are donating their time to play and there will be a $5 minimum donation at the door. All the proceeds go straight back to Montana First, Warburton said.
In three weeks, Warburton has gathered about 1000 signatures and trained 40 volunteers. He feels confident that Montana First can decriminalize marijuana. "Absolutely it's going to happen," he said. "We need a high number of signatures because it a constitutional issue. But this would amend Montana's constitution."
Warburton said he has gotten names from people who believe in voter's rights, not just marijuana rights. He's also got signatures from people don't believe in prohibition.
"Our mission statement is that prohibition of alcohol didn't work," Warburton said. "Prohibition of marijuana also doesn't work."
Many medical marijuana providers agree with Montana First's mission, including Ewout van Garderen, owner of the Herb Pharmer.
"I think it should be legal. There is absolutely no evidence that it shouldn't be," he said. "People don't want to legalize because it's a healthy alternative to Prozac and all that crap. Pharmaceutical companies don't want to lose their profits."
Montana has long been inundated with marijuana talks, but mostly on medical front. At the end of April, the Montana Supreme Court will decide whether a judge's ruling to block part of Senate Bill 423 will stand.
The bill placed restrictions on the state's medical marijuana industry. Many state dispensary owners also blamed the bill for federal crackdowns on their businesses. Last year, District Judge Jim Reynolds blocked four of the strictest statutes from taking effect, including a ban on profits from medical marijuana sales.
News Hawk - 420 Warrior 420 MAGAZINE
Location: Belgrade, MT
Source: The Belgrade News
Author: Hannah Stiff
Contact: editor@belgrade-news.com
Copyright: © 2012, The Belgrade News
Website: www.belgrade-news.com
