HELENA, Mont. – The ACLU of Montana is gratified that voters in Montana have passed ballot initiative I-182, allowing a single treating physician to prescribe medical marijuana for patients diagnosed with chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder. I-182 also repeals the three-patient limit for each licensed provider.
“I-182 is an important step in making marijuana available to Montanans who suffer from debilitating illnesses,” said Caitlin Borgmann, Executive Director of the ACLU of Montana, “We applaud its passage and will continue to support the fight to destigmatize marijuana use.”
This isn’t the first time Montanans have passed an initiative on medical marijuana. In 2004, by a margin of 2-1, Montanans voted to create an accessible medical marijuana system for patients, but in 2011 the legislature passed Senate Bill 423, which seriously curtailed program access and the ability of providers and doctors to assist patients in obtaining this much needed medicine. SB 423 has left 12,000 Montanans without access to medical marijuana.
Medical marijuana reform is critical to helping Montanans with chronic pain and illnesses manage their day-to-day lives. I-182, while not perfect, is a vast improvement over the current, unworkable medical marijuana system in Montana.
“Montanans have twice spoken in favor of making medical marijuana more accessible,” said Borgmann. “Hopefully the legislature listens this time.”
