By Roark on 02-17-10
Thank you Bob Hafferman for being the lone voice of reason. Shame on the rest of the City Council and Mayor Fischer.
By medicine men on 02-17-10
i woul also like to thank Mr.Hafferman for being a true conservative. Standing up for the rights and liberties of Americans and montanans.
By kalispelling bee on 02-17-10
“Marijuana: not medicine, not legal, not in my town.”
Someone needs to let Rebecca Sturdevant in on the fact that medical marijuana is legal, after votes by Montana residents and legislation by elected officials. Like it or not, that’s the fact, no matter whose town she thinks Kalispell is.
By ~Jeff~ on 02-18-10
Sounds as if Bob Hafferman is the only council member that understands the legal liabilities the city is taking on by these attempts to detain legal businesses from operating.
By MontanaTrace on 02-18-10
Becca, “my town?” You were elected to represent “our town.” Maybe you better re-think this or find another town that you can declare to be yours.
By wedunit on 02-18-10
True conservatism has the best interests of all parties concerned at heart. Thank you, Mr. Hafferman for having the convictions and cajones to stand for what is right. We conservatives salute you!
By Paladin-ette on 02-18-10
Is there not a bar right across the street from Woodland Park?Looks like Mr. Hafferman has read and understands the Constitution, and his role in city government. The rest of you should think about attending “An Overview of the Constitution” being presented at the Glacier High School next Tuesday evening from 7-9. Hope to see you there Mayor Fischer as I thought you would be operating from a Constitutional standpoint and this is what the people of Montana expect.
By Craig moore on 02-18-10
Regarding the erroneous claims about legality: http://marijuana-as-medicine.org/Federal & State Law.htm
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Many people are confused about the legality of medical access to marijuana. The passage of state initiatives in recent years has intensified this confusion and places many people at risk.
First and foremost: Marijuana, for any use, is illegal under federal law. Even if you live in a state that has enacted legislation or passed a ballot initiative that recognizes marijuana’s medical utility you are subject to arrest by federal officials for possession or cultivation of marijuana.
Secondly, it is illegal to ship or receive marijuana by mail. Do not be fooled by individuals who claim they can legally ship marijuana because they live in a state or country where “marijuana is legal.” Interstate shipment of marijuana is a federal offense. So is importation of marijuana.
If you do reside in a state that has enacted a ballot initiative “legalizing” medical access to marijuana it is important that you check with an attorney or local officials about the policy in your region.
Federal Laws
The Controlled Substances Act classifies cannabis as a Schedule I drug and defines it as a drug “with no accepted medical value in treatment.” Despite its long history of use as a medication, cannabis is classified as a “new drug” and legal access is only possible through an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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Don’t confuse lack of enforcement with being legal.
By Craig moore on 02-18-10
To illustrate my previous point there is this: http://www.jointogether.org/news/headlines/inthenews/2010/dea-raids-colo-medical.html
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A day after a Colorado resident appeared on local TV to talk about his medical-marijuana operation, his home was raided by federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents, the Denver Post reported Feb. 13.
The raid came despite a recent directive from the Obama administration to federal agents not to interfere with individuals who are in “clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana.”
“It’s still a violation of federal law,” said Jeffrey Sweetin, DEA special agent in charge of Denver. “It’s not medicine. We’re still going to continue to investigate and arrest people.” The directive notes that “prosecution of commercial enterprises that unlawfully market and sell marijuana for profit continues to be an enforcement priority of the department.”
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By MontanaTrace on 02-18-10
Another example of State’s Rights being hard to define. Remember when Montana didn’t have a speed limit?
By fishrider on 02-18-10
If the cannabis is being mailed within the state(inter vs. intrastate commerce) between a caregiver and a patient federal laws should not be applicable. This is the same principle that the state of Montana is citing in their attempt to be exempt from federal gun laws. Federal laws should be reserved for commerce or activities that occur between states. The framers of our Constitution went through a lot (in some cases dying) to reserve sovereignty for our confederated republic states. This situation should be a clear example of that.
By the jamhole on 02-18-10
Wow, so like it was said before, having a BAR by woodland park is ok, but having a medical marijuana dispensary is not? This is hypocrisy at it’s finest. The people have clearly spoken, yet the city officials are pretending to be def. We will remember this when it comes time for re election.
By Kal61 on 02-18-10
Once the government figures out how to corner and control the marijuana industry, people will be buying it as freely as a bottle of liquor at government controlled stores. Just give them some time to figure out how to tax crap out of it.
By Craig moore on 02-18-10
fishrider, no it is not the same issue. The mail is a federal US sole area of control. If anyone uses the US mail, the feds are in control.
By Jack on 02-18-10
Whoa, where did the reporter find the fact “Although a 2004 voter initiative decriminalized medical marijuana in Montana, its status was unclear until the 2009 Legislature enacted the Medical Marijuana Act.”
The system has been in place, unchanged, since passage of the 2004 initiative.
By fishrider on 02-18-10
Craig, the US postal service is an independent agency of the government. It was specifically established in the original Constitution and I have stated how they intended to reserve states rights. The postal service is not directly funded by tax payer dollars and should not have federal oversight unless it involves commerce between states. Laws come and go but the Constitution is our bedrock and when interpreting ambiguous issues we should take guidance from it.
By Billy on 02-19-10
HempMontana; Take it to the next level?
By Yudamni on 02-19-10
This whole thing is a back door legalization of dope that the voters of this state fell for. Pot makes you stupid, lazy, criminal, paranoid, and worthless to the world and themselves. Don’t tell me I don’t know, because I have to deal with potheads every day. Our cowardly and stupid president gave these idiots a free pass, because he knows they are mostly dependents, ( or soon will be) that will vote for democrats in the future. Ok I said it, go ahead and give me the thumbs down, but it is all the truth, and I would be surprised if you like it.
By the jamhole on 02-19-10
So alcohol is OK but pot is not? The people that you say pot makes lazy, criminal, etc… were already lazy and criminal in the first place. That had nothing to do with pot. Pot is much safer than alcohol. There are many many potheads that are brilliant, contributing members of society. You must have had a bad experience with pot, which is odd in itself. We are everywhere. Deal with it.
By Billy on 02-19-10
Actually they are politically superior. Next; the Court House. We have Yudamni Fertilizer at the Green Love Grow Store. Spend your Hemp Dollars where they grow the future. Boycott all others.
By Billy on 02-19-10
We should get a HempMontana fundraiser by having a Bluegrass Folk Festival like we used to do in the 70’s.
By Kokanee on 02-19-10
Let me know when and where Billy that sounds like fun !!!
By Billy on 02-22-10
Cannabis Community Campfire and Celestial Chorus. Bring your own Musical Instruments and Refreshments. We’ll figure out where later.
Video related to Freedom. http://www.paulstramer.net/
The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.