Press release from S.O.S Save Our Society from Drugs

(St. Petersburg, FL, March 15, 2011) Yesterday, as the Montana Senate considered a bill to repeal the state’s current “medical” marijuana program, federal agents moved to shut down over a dozen marijuana operations across the state.

Growing concerns over Montana’s widely-abused “medical” marijuana program have led to a call for action from both elected officials and organized community members. HB 161, groundbreaking repeal legislation, was passed by the House earlier this year. The bill was heard yesterday in a Senate committee, and it is anticipated to be called again today.

In 2004 when Montana voters approved the “medical” marijuana initiative, it was under the belief they were being compassionate to a small number of chronically ill people. In reality, citizens got a highly abused program and community pot shops.

As of January 2011, there were over 28,000 participants in the registry program, an increase of more than 16,000 users since March 2010! Combined, the more serious conditions such as cancer, glaucoma and HIV represent less than 3% of the program’s participants.

Montana’s proliferation of pot shops is a perfect illustration of the negative consequences associated with marijuana programs, and the DEA should be commended for stepping in to shut down these illegal operations, says Calvina Fay, executive director of Save Our Society From Drugs. The medi-pot program in Montana is beyond repair, and I am encouraged that the legislature is considering landmark legislation to put an end to the charade.

If you would like to set up an interview about this issue with Calvina Fay, please contact Lana Beck at (727) 828-0210 or (727) 403-7571.

Save Our Society From Drugs (S.O.S.), a national drug policy organization with members in Montana, has over ten years of experience in monitoring and making policy recommendations on drug policy issues including those pertaining to marijuana as a so-called medicine. S.O.S. takes a comprehensive approach to promote sound drug policy that includes education, prevention, abstinence-based treatment, scientific research, and community awareness. For more discussion please visit our blog at www.saveoursociety.org

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