Title:
Sad News: Gov. Schweitzer will allow S.B. 423 to become law without his signature
Message:
On April 30, Gov.
Brian Schweitzer (D) announced that he would allow the cruel and arbitrary S.B. 423 to
become law. We are disappointed, as we know you are. However, during this sad
time, it's important to remember the bright spots of patient advocates’ tireless
work, Gov. Schweitzer’s veto of full-on repeal, H.B. 161, and his amendatory
veto of S.B. 423, which forced the legislature to make several small
improvements to the final bill.
Since the governor has not yet officially taken action, you
can still email
Gov. Schweitzer and urge him to veto S.B. 423.
Under S.B. 423, larger marijuana-growing operations and all
dispensaries must shut down by July 1. Patients will have to grow their own or
obtain it for free from a provider who can grow for up to three people. In
addition, doctors who certify 25 patients will have to pay for an investigation
into their practices.
Patients and Families United
plans to launch a statewide referendum campaign soon and will need help from
far and wide. If enough signatures are gathered with the required geographic
distribution, S.B. 423 might be prevented from taking effect prior to putting it
before voters in November 2012.
