HELENA – A Montana group advocating the overhaul of marijuana laws praised U.S. Rep. Steve Daines on Friday for his vote to limit the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration from interfering with state medical marijuana laws.
Chris Lindsey of Missoula, spokesman for the Montana chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, called it “a political game changer.”
“What we see is that conservatives in Congress are adhering to their principles in support of state’s rights and reducing big government programs, even when it comes to subjects like marijuana policy,” Lindsey said. “We applaud Steve Daines for standing up for Montana’s laws, and expect Montana’s senators to do the same.”
Daines was one of 49 Republicans who voted Thursday to limit federal authority. The House, by a 219-189 vote, supported an amendment to the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriation Act offered by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif.
It would deny funding to the Justice Department for any efforts to prevent states from implementing their own medical marijuana laws. These laws authorize the use, distribution, possession or cultivation of medical marijuana by those who qualify.
“This is a matter of states’ rights,” Daines spokesman Alee Lockman said. “Steve believes the federal government should respect states’ individual rights and regulating authority. This vote reflected that principle.”
Lindsey said federal interference in state laws has been directed at medical marijuana businesses, including in Montana.
“Today, we have the worst possible scenario in Montana – a law that protects patients who wish to possess and consume, but no clear way for patients to safely and reliably obtain medical marijuana – and few protections for those who do provide to them,” Lindsey said.
He said Montana is second only to California in its failure to implement a regulatory framework, with California likely to pass one. Lindsey said he hopes Montana finally will take “real steps” to protect people who participate in the state program.
“If the Senate also approves of this measure and it takes effect, federal prosecutors who wish to continue to pursue the failed war on marijuana will be hard-pressed to carry on pointless and costly raids on businesses in states that offer substantive regulation,” Lindsey said. “It really now is up to the Montana Legislature to implement a solid program for the good of all Montanans.”
Montana NORML chapter praises Daines for marijuana vote
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