Our Goal

Our goal is to help bring an end marijuana prohibition in Montana. Our approach is to mobilize concerned citizens by giving them the resources and tools necessary to highlight the failure of the war on marijuana to voters, opinion-makers and elected officials in the state.

Our long term goal is to support a voter initiative in 2016 that would tax and regulate adult marijuana use similar to Colorado.

Our Philosophy

Marijuana prohibition has been just as ineffective, inefficient, and problematic as alcohol prohibition. Most Americans agree it is time to replace this failed policy with a more sensible approach.

Marijuana is objectively less harmful than alcohol and should be treated that way. It is less toxic, less addictive, less harmful to the body, and it does not contribute to violent and reckless behavior. Adults should not be punished for choosing a safer substance.

By regulating marijuana like alcohol, we can take sales out of the hands of drug cartels in the underground market and put them behind the counters of state-licensed businesses that create jobs and pay taxes.

According to statistics provided by state law enforcement officials to the federal government, in 2011, 1,355 people were arrested in Montana for marijuana-related offenses, 94% of which were for possession. During the same year, 80% of all rapes, 89% of all burglaries including home invasions, and 86% of all motor vehicle thefts went unsolved. Law enforcement should not waste valuable time and resources, which would be better spent addressing violent and other serious crimes instead of arresting and prosecuting adults for using marijuana.

Who We Are

Montana NORML is an all volunteer, grassroots, Montana-based organization funded entirely by our supporters, which numbers in the thousands across the state. Our board consists of like-minded individuals with experience in lobbying, voter initiatives, community organizing, law, and medical marijuana business. While each of us has strong roots in the medical marijuana community and supports patients and those who provide to them, we believe it is time for Montana to implement its own regulatory system for all adults in the state.

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 8411
Missoula, MT 59807

Phone

406-578-0240

Board of Directors

Chris Lindsey - [email protected]

Chris has been active in the medical marijuana community in Montana since 2008. He has testified before legislators and committees, conducted legal seminars, participated in legislative work groups to establish a regulatory framework for medical marijuana, and lobbied on behalf of marijuana organizations. Chris has published numerous articles on criminal law and societal change related to marijuana. 

Chris served as a medical marijuana attorney from 2010 until 2013 and has brought cases to the Montana Supreme Court in both civil and criminal matters on behalf of medical marijuana caregivers and patients.

He has also seen the harsh side of federal prohibition policies. In 2011, he was charged as a co-conspirator for violating federal law due to his participation in a 2009 medical marijuana business following several highly-publicized raids.  Chris lives in Missoula, Montana with his wife and son.

Elizabeth Pincolini - [email protected]

Elizabeth has been active in Montana`s medical marijuana community since 2009,  serving both patients and providers in several capacities. She worked directly with patients in a dispensary setting until the law changed in June 2011.

In 2011 Elizabeth served as area coordinator in south eastern part of the state, overseeing dozens of volunteers and coordinating signature gathering efforts to overturn SB423, the bill that effectively repealed Montana’s original medical marijuana law.

Elizabeth served on the Board of Directors for the MTCIA in 2012 and 2013; Serving in 2013 as Secretary / Treasurer for the organization. Elizabeth joined the board of Montana NORML in November 2013 and serves as Treasurer.

Elizabeth currently works for a doctor who serves patients across the state needing medical marijuana recommendations. She also owns Big Sky Provider Referral, Montana’s first and only referral service for medical marijuana patients and providers.

Nicole French - [email protected]

Nicole French joined the board of Montana NORML in January of 2013 and is currently serving as Communications Co-Director and Secretary.​ She served on the boards of the Montana Cannabis Industry/Information Association from 2011-2013 and the marijuana​ advocacy organizations Montana First and Montana Next from 2011-2014, recently as Treasurer.

​As an area zone coordinator in 2011, Nicole led Eastern Montana's signature gathering efforts to annul​ SB-423 - the draconian law designed to essentially repeal the state's medical marijuana program. In 2010, Nicole​ founded the political blog “Montanafesto”, which provides education, including the Cannabis Voter’s Guide; commentary on marijuana politics in Montana, as well as exposure of the occasional hypocritical political figure.  

​Nicole's political background spans nearly two decades. Previously, she ​served as the​ state program director for the Montana Federation of Republican Women as well as the director of campaigns and elections for ​the Yellowstone Young Republicans.
 
​She has ​worked extensively on numerous conservative candidate's election campaigns and ​is looking forward to the day mainstream Republicans join her in support of ending America's failed War on Drugs. 

Rose Habib - [email protected]

Rose Habib works as a professional chemist. She got her start in cannabis activism in the Spring of 2010. She participated in the Children, Families, Health, & Human Services interim committee hearings testifying to the Medical Marijuana Subcommittee as they worked on developing a regulatory bill.  Her goal has always been to encourage legislation based on science and facts instead of hyperbole and fear. 

Immediately following the 2011 legislative session, she was tapped to lead the signature gathering campaign to recall the tragically misguided regulatory bill that was passed into law, Senate Bill 423. 

In 2013, she was hired by the Botec consulting team contracted by Washington State Liquor Control Board to assist in developing regulatory guidelines for the new I-502 legalized cannabis market opening in Washington state. 

Her expertise on this team was cannabinoid extraction methods and infused product manufacturing.  Her experience working with the Botec drug policy experts and the Liquor Control Board has given her a ground floor window into building a legalized, regulated, and taxed cannabis market.