Campaign 2012

Medical Marijuana heats up before election

Posted: Oct 17, 2012 5:55 PM by Callie Eike - Q2 News
Updated: Oct 18, 2012 7:01 AM

Confusion reigns over Medical Marijuana Initiative

BILLINGS - Montana's medical marijuana issue is, once again, the cause for controversy. This time verbal, as both sides battle it out at Billings West end restaurant Jakes.

Billings Republican Senator Jeff Essmann called the press conference to, in his words, "clear up the confusion over a recent radio ad," but his meeting soon turned ugly.

"Obviously the advocates that want to return to a wild west situation on medical marijuana are very intent on achieving their goals," said Senator Essmann. "They showed up today in order to advance their agenda."

Bob Brigham from Patients for Reform stated that "his(Essmann)own Republican Party took the historic step on putting language in their platform specifically bashing his (Essmann) bill.

A third player jumped into the mix Wednesday. The group Safe Community Safe Kids says I-124 is misleading, and faults Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock for allowing it to happen.

"If you're in favor, you'd vote yes on this one... and no, you would vote no...and that's my point is that it's really confusing," stated Steve Zabawa, Safe Community Safe Kids. "And our Attorney General's office for whatever reason didn't think that out when they put the initiative out in the voter pamphlet."

"The people who are here complaining today had full knowledge of what was going to go on the ballot, and had every opportunity to provide input and approve it," stated Jim Molloy, Bullock Campaign Spokesman.

Regardless of the bickering, if we learned anything from today's event, is that Montana voters need to do their homework and make sure they understand the implications of Initiative-124.