Comments on: Reefer Madness
By kalispelling bee on 03-19-10
Excellent column, Kellyn Brown.
By Kokanee on 03-19-10
I agree KaliBee it was a good article. As I have read in several publications thieves have targeted some of the growers already. Would dispensaries here that are within city limits be less likely to be in a criminals sights. Would this even be an issue if Mary Jane was legal across the board? I for one would like them to be zoned into one area for consolidated protection and until it is legalized completely watched for underage or improper dispensing.
By TallTree on 03-19-10
Good article.
Interesting how the Kalispell officials are voluntarily kowtowing to the Federal government. I guess these same officials also are not supportive of the Montana law challenging the federal government’s regulation of firearms within the state, especially since the federal government has stated its opposition to it.
What is wrong with our government officials? The Kalispell officials are wasting time on medical marijuana; the Democrats at the national level are spending all this time on health care when what is important are creating and saving jobs. And not Mayor Fisher’s idea of creating just low wage temporary jobs catering to tourists for Glacier’s centennial.
By Tox on 03-20-10
Great article, Kellyn!Thanks.
By hotfishmt on 03-20-10
I for one, can’t figure out where all the instant growers came from??? Were they closet growers before ?? I see the need for some oversight with this business for sure. If a Doctor prescribes MM for a patient…..and conventional drugs don’t dent the pain….good. Hopefully the big city drug creeps won’t move to Montana and try and strongarm the black-side of MJ and control legal providers.Its all to obvious that the Mexican Drug Cartle has lots of infulence & are not nice people…..lets just hope as this MM situation progresses to some plan….that the Mexican connection stays a long way away???
By StellaMae on 03-20-10
This article shows me that the Kalispell Planning Board has more things to take into consideration rather than just a federal law that our President has said will not be enforced for those of us who are legal, myself included. If only they could see that - that’s our red state for ya.
By ZooTown024 on 03-20-10
Great article Kellyn Brown. Way to point out what hypocrites these folks are and how feeble this new age reefer madness is. Who would’ve ever thought that conservatives in Montana, of all places, would side against states rights. Funny nobody ever brings up the made in Montana gun rights issue that is brewing. Personally, I would rather have someone who lied to their doctor about pain running around with a doobie over someone fresh out of prison running around with an AK.
By FightOrFlight on 03-20-10
It’s in time like this, where government is doing what it does best: causing division and confusion over shadows they perceive following us around and causing the citizens to, once again, turn underground over a bag of weed, it’s time to ask ourselves for some sage advice:
What would Jerry Garcia do?
By Vud on 03-20-10
As too the quote by a possibly now, more lawsuit averse planning board member:
“...the city of Kalispell could potentially be setting itself up for some real problems downstream.”
I wonder if a city being in violation of a federal statute would be a good argument for use in a criminal negligence law suit brought against that city?
By Nick H on 03-20-10
Great points here, especially the gun laws…Correct me if I’m wrong but, city officials are suppose to represent the people and their best interests. Understand the zoning issues and all that, we just need to catch up and the problem hear is knowledge and lack there of. Talk to Atkins about MM and the process in which one can grow, clueless . Anyone want to put their fears aside and learn a thing or two let me know, I’ll school ya’s 
The fears of the people leading us are there from 70+ years of lies, built ontop of the most greedy business’ out there.I for one enjoy spreading the knowledge of the cannabis and also learning from others. Its taken me a long time to be able to put some fears aside, and ask questions. I feel that if this gets banned from kalispell, arent’ we looking at a civil rights issues then. The fear of prosecution from the feds for not obeying the fed law is rediculous and just built on FEAR. So educate yourself and others and lets take precautions and regulate. But BAN??? really is this were the majority is at?? I thought we voted on that already?
By medicineman on 03-20-10
GREAT READ!
By kalgal on 03-20-10
Was out enjoying the 1st day of spring. Went to a local nursery. Saw they sell grow lights, seed starting equipment. There was a man there asking them all sorts of questions about growing, and was basically bragging that he was going to grow medical marijuana etc. Boasting about how cheap and it is to get a card.
By Westside2 on 03-21-10
Right on target Kellyn. Any read on how Montana’s Supreme court might lean in a states rights vs. federal law challenge to this?
Will city residents have to financially foot the bill to pay for lawsuits against the city? Is Charlie able to separate his emotions from his duty on this one? Would it be prudent to get a second opinion from another attorney?
Where is American Dream Montana when we need them the most? I expect the silence to continue, but who knows?
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”
(Marie Curie quote)
Dan Testa’s article on the planning board vote in case you missed it: http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/marijuana_headline/16510/
By RealDeal on 03-22-10
Why would I ever get a card? I have been smoking marijuana for over twenty years in the flathead and have never ever had a problem getting it. All the cardholders and caregivers are doing is lowering prices and raising the quality of the product. Thank you very much!
By Silence Dogood on 03-23-10
Nice article Kellyn. The excuses the City is throwing out there are childish. If the City does not want the dispenseries then just say so…
By Nick H on 03-23-10
Okay, lets cut through the ‘red tape’ why can’t we just agree that there are people out there that need this. then where r they suppose to get it. does everyone just think that it’s going to be okay for them to get it illegally? we all know that it still happens illegally, it been going on that way for how long? SO.. it’s been happening where, that way? who the hell knows where? SO lets’ get some regulations and some realistic ones, take the time to get the knowledge and learn things about this drug and the process in which one needs to go through to get it(grow it). Then where do we go? where do we grow? these r questions that r just now coming up? really? but how long has it happened without us knowing? so let’s drop the fears and learn some things. maybe that neighbor of yours that you don’t know too much about, (he’s got 24 plants in his basemetn) maybe he’s now legal and got a warehouse that employs 20 ppl that didn’t have jobs before who have families and kids that go to school with YOUR kids, maybe they r friends but u just don’t know it…. now u don’t want them around your kids, or just to be your neighbor anymore, really? for growing a plant?? wow..humanity at it’s best
By StellaMae on 03-23-10
I think another issue here is that with the uprise of medical marijuana in our city, there are people who now think that there are “potheads everywhere” when really they’ve been here the whole time. The opportunity to be able to grow legal medicine has given these people the chance to make a real legitimate living off of it and subsequently, if we were able to see it, we could smoke ourselves out of this entire recession. But no.. let’s not make it too easy. Our city has the ability to make this one of the greatest up and coming industries that could go world-wide but we still are being run by ignorant, unprogressive right-wing nutjobs. It makes me want to move away from here.
By Kokanee on 03-23-10
We are in need of some of a common sense approach here. The Law both local and federal has never been able to control it,they will never be able to control it in the clandestine light that they have created !!! This has gone on long enough let them smoke their D@^^n pot. Look at all the money it could generate from taxes alone. It is no different than alcohol, they could not stop that with “puritan thinking” either.
I would rather see it out in the open and stop all these backstreet drug deals and the Mexican Connection.Many of our neighbors still light a bowl now and then. Life will still move on it is not going to create some huge disruption in your sunday services. God loves sinners and saints, there is no punishment you can dole out to a human being on this earth that will equal what they will receive in the next big step. Stop being so paranoid.
By Kokanee on 03-23-10
And another thing who in their right state of mind would think that legalized Marijuana would stop all those Subaru drivin, nature lovin tourists (hippies in disguise) from coming to Montana to see our parks. I will tell you what they do not come to see downtown Kalispell I got news for you, DOWNTOWN SUCKS. How do you like them apples!! We offer nothing for businesses to be profitable, lack of parking dingy dirty buildings trash in alleys, yeah baby downtown Kalispell is so chic. Why just last weekend there were so many people on the sidewalks, they were three deep for six blocks they spent so much money the banks stayed open on sunday just to count it all.LMAO
By RealDeal on 03-23-10
Does anyone remember why George Washington chopped down the cherry tree? To make room for hemp! Kalispell has always been ran by close-minded individuals. Take a good look at that little city, it’s disgusting! The eyesore of the county! Dirty and dingy doesn’t even come close. Tourists only stop there to get gas on their way to the real destinations in this beautiful valley! Kalispell hasn’t changed in the 37 years I have lived here. Now it has a chance to let individuals grow and sell a little bit of pot, but no way man! They can’t even figure out who’s gonna put the fire out at famous dave’s! Isn’t there a firehouse less than 1/2 mile away? I sure am glad I don’t live there, I would be so embarrased! Kalispell should figure it out! It’s gotta suck being in last place all the time!
By TallTree on 03-23-10
SgtSchultz:
Are you settling for mediocrity? There are better jobs to be had than temporary minimum wage jobs. How are people going to keep their houses with jobs like that? That’s why a number of Flathead people are now going to North Dakota to work in the oil fields. Of course jobs like that won’t happen in the Flathead as our elected officials want to ban development starting in the North Fork. Mayor Fisher hasn’t said a peep about that. I could be wrong but it seems like the only thing job wise she has done is the one day seminar on getting low wage temp jobs for the Glacier Centennial. Woo hoo!
Re: job creation/promotion. Why is that my job? I am not an elected official. Or are you suggesting I should start up a medical marijuana business and hire some employees? That seems to be the rage right now. I imagine it would pay better than a low wage temp job.
By BozeAngeles on 03-24-10
Do you really care if people smoke pot? Personally I’m more concerned about the people who have been boozing all day and then decide they need more, need to go home, and/or leave the bar.
By BozeAngeles on 03-24-10
I think the Drug Task Force and Police should go after the harder drugs. Marijuana does not harm anybody, and to the contrary of opinions in this state I believe marijuana is the least of anyone’s problems and beneficial for more reasons that just what has been made into law. Let me remind you Montana has always been plentiful with marijuana and just recently this state has become a story because people are taking a stand and going after what they feel is necessary for their life. Don’t be so naive as to think all walks of life do not enjoy smoking it.
There will always be bad apples in all spectrums of life, but to deem it hard to follow who is growing and who is not growing is a joke, yet true. I don’t think more restrictions should be laid on people. Montana has the potential to lead the example. The number of cards issued in the past couple months and with all the news involving this says something on a HUGE level about the way people feel about this.
I think any “Montana resident” who decides he wants to grow and distribute it to anybody within state lines should not be bothered by law enforcement, but the moment they have enough evidence to nail you for over-the-state-line sales then by all means, “Do Your Job!’ However, if you are from another state with a medical card then by all means they are within the law.
By BozeAngeles on 03-24-10
As a follow-up to the last paragraph, I’m not condoning illegal sales of marijuana, but feel that through our Legislature something can be done. Obama has already told the DEA to relax on medical card holders and that’s a step, but things need to be on the books on a Federal level so innocent people don’t end up in prison for merely helping a person medically.
Pharmaceutical companies will be on the lobbying side, they have the most to lose. No more pills for this and that, and then no more additional sales from the side effects you encounter and possible life-changing consequences for using their poison.
Marijuana eases pain, spasms, headaches, nausea, cramps, migraines, stabbing pain, burning pain, insomnia, promotes appetite, IS NATURAL. The LIST goes on and on.
This country has the potential to eliminate, to some degree, an arm of the War On Drugs and make profit and paying off our debt, and going after real crimes like illegal immigration, human smuggling, black market arms trade, etc.
By the way, Excellent column, Kellyn Brown.
By Fact-Check on 03-24-10
Okay here we go, the Tourists would not come to Kalispell Montana, because we provide a medicinal herb for sovereign persons suffering from chronic pain issues.
I do not see large signs at each end of Kalispell City Limits stating we GROW POT here, stay out, go home, stoners at large, beware.
I have not seen them yet LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am a sovereign person who suffers greatly every day for the last 4 years due to a Chiropractic injury that occurred in 2006.
Everyone needs to read the Montana Constitution for your rights. To many people speak out from the position of a lack knowledge.
To say the Federal Government has jurisdiction here within this State is a laughable. There only have jurisdiction when invited by the Governor and the Sheriff’s office and have probable cause for such actions.
So first we pass the law to allow this, now they try to find any and all excuses to undermine the sovereign rights of the people.
Now all persons growing Medical Marijuana for personal consumption to control severe chronic pain that the traditional Medical Drugs cannot touch is under attack is absurd.
So now we are all criminals and drug dealers, what a joke.
So now what, oh I know roll out the SWAT TEAM on Granny because Granny got a BONG!
Roll a FAT BOB and enjoy!
By Dissident on 03-25-10
My friends would sit and smoke dope with the curtains closed and became so paranoid, they spent even more time behind closed curtains, smoking more dope.
I am relieved they can now become certified dope dealers to more drug abusers and sit behind closed curtains and finally relax.
I hope the tranquilizer industry does not suffer. The USDA might have to start taxing dope. That will solve all the problems, especially when the paranoia starts again and pot smokers have to cough up the dope tax to legally support their habit.
By RealDeal on 03-25-10
Hey Dissident are you sure they were smoking dope? Sounds like they may have had more going on than you knew about. Marijuana doesn’t make you paranoid. It makes you laugh like crazy and get super hungry. But, if you get stuck in the house don’t turn on the food channel or you will be forced to go to the store and shop for munchies laughing your #ss off.
The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.