Montana Governor “Disgusted” With Legislature
Governor Brian Schweitzer stood up for the voters, medical marijuana patients, and their caregivers Wednesday when he declared his intent to issue an amendatory veto for SB 423. This bill would have drastically hindered the ability of seriously ill patients to become qualified for the program and would have eliminated the bustling legitimate medical marijuana industry, forcing patients to grow their own or resort to the illicit market. Schweitzer said he will send the bill back with amendments that allow strictly licensed commercial growing and distribution, as well as protect the privacy of patients.
The governor stated that the bill, as written and passed by the House and Senate, is unconstitutional. He also expressed disappointment in the legislature for wasting nearly the entire session trying to thwart the will of Montana voters by passing bills that are nothing but repeal in disguise.
From Missoulian:
Schweitzer said he doesn’t believe the bill will survive a legal challenge.
“I’m kind of disgusted right now,” he said…
… Schweitzer criticized the Legislature for managing to “squander away” most of the 90-day legislative session before sending him the bill. He said lawmakers already know it’s unconstitutional, which is why they put a “severability clause” in it, saying if a court strikes down part of the bill, the rest stands. Severability clauses are common in complex bills.
“Why don’t you just pass something that works, that’s constitutional and that can survive the test of time?” he asked.
If the legislature does not transmit the bill in time for an amendatory veto, Gov. Schweitzer will be forced to either veto it outright or allow it to become law. From his statements, it’s not hard to guess which way he’s leaning.
In addition, it appears that the governor of Montana did not overreact to recent statements from U.S. Attorneys in Washington that the federal government could prosecute medical marijuana businesses and state employees involved in licensing them. Unlike Gov. Gregoire, he probably looked at the absence of such prosecutions in states like Rhode Island, Maine, Colorado, and New Mexico, all of which have state-licensed dispensaries. Just because the Department of Justice says they can go after marijuana businesses does not mean that they will, and the experiences of these states suggest that they are not likely to do so, particularly in states that have clear regulations allowing dispensaries.
Let’s all reach out and thank Governor Schweitzer for treating medical marijuana in a rational, principled, and compassionate manner. If he keeps standing up for the will of the people of Montana, his re-election is “guar-an-dang-teed!”
Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer breaks out the "veto brand" on bad bills. - Associated Press photo
Tagged with: amendment and dispensary and Federal and Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Gov. Chris Gregoire and industry and legislature and Medical Marijuana and Montana and prosecution and repeal and SB 423 and veto and Washington by the author
18 comments
I think Gov. Schweitzer is a great man. I think Montanans ought to nominate him for President. We need someone who thinks about our Constitutional rights in a positive way instead of the trash we have been getting. I hope you guys nominate him.
He is a true governor who have proved himself that he cares about the citizens of Montana. He was well aware that those bills would allow the DEA’s terroristic activities against Montana citizens and corrupting the state’s law enforcement.
Yes thank you Gov its just too bad you all already on your 2nd term
OMG an polititian who actually cares about what the people wants?!? Is the apocolypse upon us? Great job Gov. Schweitzer. If you run for president, you’ve got my vote.
this is a number one guy he has my vote he understands the meaning of[ will of the people ] you go govener
Have this man run for president of the usa. A man of the people for the people.
Not the garbage in offfice now
Why don’t you just pass something that works, that’s constitutional and that can survive the test of time?” he asked.
Yeah, like full out legalization!!!!
We’re not out of the woods yet, folks. Schweitzer sent his amendatory veto back to the legislature and The Senate and House, by overwhelming margins Thursday night, voted to overhaul the state’s medical marijuana law and added some of Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s suggested changes, but balked at his major proposals Here’s what the Governor is saying today: commercial caregivers should just switch to selling grow supplies. It sure sounds like he will sign the bill but everyone should call his office TODAY and encourage him to veto it. http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/html_80b897bc-7255-11e0-8c10-001cc4c002e0.html
His number is (406) 444-3111. CALL!
Heather Masterson
Montana NORML
I was incredibly relieved the governor stood up for those who are sick and dying. Thank you sir! I am very sad that so many of our elected officials decided to ignore not only those who are sick but the will of the voters as well. I can only hope that those who so blatantly disregarded US will be looking for new work. Some of the statements made (by our representatives) make it clear that they did not even bother to consider real science or the testimony of those who have found marijuana relieves there suffering. I will not forget those without compassion. Governor where can we find more like you? God bless you Governor!
I just called Gov. Schweitzer’s office and left a message supporting the Governor’s veto of SB 423 since the MT legislature would not accept all of his amendments to the bill.
Call his office at (406) 444-3111. His office staff are very nice.
I personally think Gov. Schweitzer ought to run for Senator Baucus’ seat in the US Senate. After the fiasco of so-called “health care reform” that Baucus presided over, and given his record of large contributions from the financial and health insurance sectors, it’s time for a change to someone who truly has the interests of people at heart.
stick to the cause…there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Ross, Guttenberg, all applaud this governor of the people.
What are the chances you would like to come to NC and run when you are finished with your term there because I am one person who would vote for you and I know there are many more like me. We really need someone like you here. Just think about it OK?
the gov of the great state of MONTANA is an ass. HE SENT THE BILL BACK TO THE LEGISLATORS , BUT IN RETURN THEY WOULD NOT PUT HIS BUDGET THROUGH. SO HE TRADED AND IS LETTING SB 423 BECOME LAW PUTTING ALOT OF PEOPLE OUT OF JOBS AND MAKING IT HARDER TO GET THE LIC. NOW PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO RESORT TO THE BLACK MKT TO GET WHAT THEY NEED FOR RELIEF OF THEIR MEDICAL CONDITION . HE JUST BECAME AN ASS IT IS TOO BAD HE HAD TO DO THIS. NOW WHAT?
Montana did repeal the law and taken away caregivers and dispensaries. This sucks for those in need.
Governor Brian Schweitzer is a coward and a showboater. He let SB 423 pass and betrayed the voters.
He has never and will never fight for us, he’s just another hack.
finally a good legislator. ruling with what the people want and need. he would have my vote if I lived there.
Thank you Gov. Schweitzer, for being the kind of leader we can be proud of. Please continue to set examples for the rest of the nation and fight for all of the things you believe your constituents want, and need. If we had a federal government with leaders willing to stick up for their people, we’d have a much better country.
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