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In October 2004, Montana NORML sent out surveys
to 255 Montana legislators and candidates. The survey asked 2 simple questions,
regarding medical marijuana, and marijuana prohibition. Little by
little, the results have come in, and are documented below in our legislative
"scorecard". If you're not sure which legislator represents your interests in
Helena, check our contact page. As more surveys arrive,
we'll post them, so please visit regularly if your legislator doesn't appear
in the table below.
The questions:
- Do you support I-148, the initiative that would permit seriously ill patients to
use marijuana medically in Montana? Why or why not?
- Would you support legislation to decriminalize marijuana? Why or why not?
The legislators answered (10 total responses so far):
Shannon Hanson
06 |
Medical: Yes
I can not imagine denying any means of pain releif to seriously ill patients. I have researched and asked arounf and found that Marinol does not work as effectivly as marijuana. In addition it is clear that even if it were possible to capsulize marijuana, cheomtherapy patients may not be able to swallow the pill and have it stay down long enough to do any good.
Prohibition: Yes.
I believe when we stop put people behind bars for small offense for which there is no victim, we can begin to manage our prisons and keep those who have commited violent and heinous acts behind bars.
Notes:
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Andrew R. Brekke
HD 34 |
Medical: No. While I deeply understand the spirit behind what this initiative intends I feel the indirect effects will greatly diminish any positive benefit.
The lowering of any legal barrier to illicit drugs for any purpose is just the beginning. Expansion of the treatments could occur and doctors prescribing medical marijuana and those individuals being treated could sell the drug as well.
We have enough problems in this state with legal narcotics such as tobacco and alcohol, why start down a path legalizing another?
Prohibition: No. Same reason as above.
Notes: I appreciate the opportunity to share my views.
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Christine Kaufmann
HD 81 |
Medical: Yes. Because its compassionate.
Prohibition: Yes. It's bad public policy to lock up non-violent offenders. It just not worth the cost.
Notes:
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Paul Stephens
HD-23 |
Medical: Certainly. I have always been opposed to prohibition and in favor of personal medical choices. I can't imagine how it can be illegal to grow and use a plant, one of God's sacred creatures.
Prohibition: Absolutely. It is in the Green Party platform. I have been arrested and spent 90 days in jail (plus, it ruined my life, maybe) for possession of marijuana.
Notes: This is a strange issue, because it is difficult to find anyone who is against legalizing marijuana, and yet it is said to be "political suicide" to speak in favor of it. I think that in most cases where the people have been able to vote on this issue, they have approved legalization. Let's hope it will be the same, here.
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Rosie Buzzas
HD93 |
Medical: Yes,
I supported similar legislation during the 2003 session. If this drug can help terminally ill individuals control the adverse effects of symptoms or other drugs then it should be available to them through their physicians.
Prohibition: No, because I have also seen some of the negative effects in my work in human services and substance abuse prevention. While I don't see marijuana as the worst drug being used, it is often used in connection with other dangerous drugs and often seen as a "gateway" drug along with alcohol and tobacco.
Notes:
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RENN BODEKER
REP. |
Medical: YES. IT CAN'T BE ANY WORSE THAN MANY OF THE LEGAL DRUGS WE BUY OVER THE COUNTER AND DOCTORS PRESCRIBE EVERY DAY.
Prohibition: YES. I CAN'T SEE ANY DIFFERANCE BETWEEN
MARIJUANA AND ALCOHOL.
Notes: YES. CHANGE OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM .KIDS SHOULD HAVE A COLLAGE EDUCATION BY THE TIME THEY SPEND 12 YEARS IN SCHOOL.MAYBE THEY WOULD NOT NEED DRUGS IF THEY COULD SEE A FUTURE.
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don ryan
sd 10 |
Medical: yes
Notes: if this does not pass it should be brought up in the legislature
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Ken Toole
SD 41 |
Medical: Yes. Our policy on marijuana generally is impractical and fear driven. To the extent there are legitimate medical uses for it we should not allow them to be blocked.
I would also support allowing hemp production for commercial/industial uses for the same reason.
Prohibition: Yes. We can not keep throwing people into jail for this kind of non-violent, victimless crime. It is both expensive and ineffective.
Notes:
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Jerry O'Neil
SD-3 |
Medical: Yes
Notes:
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Kerry Wall-MacLaneq
SD45 |
Medical: I support the initiative. How dare any well person presume to deny desperatly ill people the right to keep a meal down.
Prohibition: Prevention is effective, regulation is effective, prohibition and incarceration serve only to create criminals and then equip them with anger and resentment. People on drugs need treatment, not war.
Notes:
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