Does that mean tobacco-company weed harvested and ground up by the acre by giant robots? Maybe.  Don’t worry, there will always be room for high-end marijuana, just like we have plenty of options in the high-end beer and wine categories. But there’s no getting away from the fact that with full legalization comes a potentially dramatic price reduction.

Legalization might cut into growers’ profits, yes. I’m sorry about that, but reduced profits are no reason to keep arresting people for something that should not be a crime.  And, you’ll have lots more legal customers!  For more on this phenomenon in California, check out this NORML blog post.

Moving on — most of you already know that a committee of legislators is meeting throughout the summer to discuss changes to Montana’s medical marijuana law.  The idea is that bringing interested parties (law enforcement, schools, growers, patient advocates) together in the same room enough times will identify areas of concern and generate thoughtful discussion, and eventually a proposal that is tolerable to all sides will result. And, the thinking goes, this proposal will therefore sail through the legislature and be implemented in the spring.

We should expect significant changes to the law next year. If you’re a patient or caregiver, pay close attention, because, who knows, your legal status may flip to criminal with the stroke of a pen.  If you want to know more, don’t forget these meetings are public. Anyone can attend, or watch over the internet. Check the committee website for details.

If you show up, you’ll optionally have 30 seconds to state your case to the committee. Of course we recommend you tell them politely to have the courage to get past medical.

Speaking of getting involved, our friends at Montanans for Responsible Legislation (the group suing the city of Great Falls over their marijuana business ban) are throwing a huge fundraiser at the Rock Creek Lodge this weekend. Three days of music, food, and camping, with drum circles, fire dancers, vendors, caregivers and general fun to be sure. Check their website for details.

RUMOR ALERT: We’ve heard some fascinating rumors and conspiracy theories about Montana NORML in the last few weeks. I’d like to respond to all of them at once, so please, if you have heard anything, let me know.

Finally, here’s the news of the week:

Montana Marijuana News:

• Montana nursing board sidesteps medical marijuana issue
• MCN founder arrested for disorderly conduct
• Missoula: 1000′ school zones must be pot free
• Missoula: Nevermind about the 1000′ school zone (but staying out anyway is probably a good idea).
• Bozeman caps marijuana providers at a max of 32
• Bozeman immediately hits marijuana grower cap in one day
• Montana Lawmakers: Medical marijuana is “out of control”
• Committee considering banning people with criminal records from becoming marijuana growers, registering garden locations
• Montana lawmakers focus on ‘gray areas’ in medical marijuana law
• Montana Caregivers Network shuts down cannabis caravans

Thanks all, and remember:  we have Truth, Justice, and Liberty on our side.

You can get the free weekly NORML newsletter delivered to your inbox by signing up here.

Missoula: Green Prom, Top Hat, 134 W Front in Missoula. 6-9PM

Missoula: FREE Local Music at the Badlander & Palace 208 Ryman in Missoula. Free, 21+. Montana NORML volunteers will be tabling, drop by and say howdy.

Missoula: How Weed Won the West, at the Wilma, 8PM

Missoula: Missoula Ethical Caregivers Association fundraiser, at the Top Hat, 9PM. $4.20 door, 21+.  Costume contest.

Feel free to comment below with any additional 4/20 Montana cannabis events!

Schedule (subject to change pending public officials’ participation availability):

In Honor of the 40^th Anniversary of Earth Day

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS, FEATURED SPEAKERS

Here’s a quick rundown of highlights from my notes.

Thursday, Sep 24th:

• Paul Armentano gave a fascinating presentation on the medical benefits of marijuana. Pretty much everyone knows that marijuana can alleviate various symptoms of serious diseases, but he presented compelling medical evidence that it also possesses curative properties, applicable to ALS, MS, Alzheimers, and yes, CANCER.
• A panel  on caregivers and collectives asserted that keeping track of how many plants a patient has makes about as much sense as guessing the total weight of some dogs, when all you know is how many dogs are in the house, but not their size, breed, or age.
• Reasons not to talk to the police: 1) they are trained in deception tactics, and 2) it is a crime to make a false statement.
• “Doc-in-a-box”, a California physician who signs all recommendations, regardless of medical merit.
• Heads up for caregivers regarding taxes: you cannot claim federal deductions of any expenses related to medical marijuana. (Didja hear? Pot’s illegal.)

Friday, Sep 25th:

• Russ Bellville gave a great talk which explained “how we got here”. Look for a Youtube version in the coming weeks.
• Rob Kampia of MPP and Madeline Martinez of Oregon NORML (among others) gave presentations about new cannabis policy reforms in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, DC, New Jersey…
• A “Field Poll” recently found that Californians are ready to tax and regulate marijuana!
• Medical marijuana has played an important role in this change in perception over just a few years; people are seeing people go to a respectable place to acquire cannabis, using it peacefully and in some cases with great benefit, and the world has not come to an end as a result.
• Incredible recent media coverage lately!
• “Decrim” is a half-solution not worth pursuing. It protects many people, sure, but leaves in place the big problems: the black market and criminal syndicates that run them. Tax & regulate is the only way.
• But even “tax and regulate” is a wide-open question.  Start thinking about the details…
• “Busted” is now available online for free. Awesome!
• When states and decriminalized in the past, and when other countries have legalized, the evidence is that use does NOT go up, contrary to what many believe.

Saturday, Sep 26th:

• The marijuana arrest investigator.
• Oakland recently established a marijuana tax. It was proposed by the city council, endorsed by the dispensaries, and approved by 80% of voters and will raise millions for the cash-strapped city.
• There are 14 million monthly cannabis consumers in the US. This number is probably a little low since it’s a government survey asking people if they break the law. As with alcohol, it’s likely that the top 10% of users consume 50% of all the cannabis consumed.
• A “typical” user might only use 10g/year.
• We heard (via Skype) from Dr Lester  Grinspoon, who says marijuana is useful in three categories: recreational, medical, and enhancement (of food, sex, creativity, music, art)
• We heard from Mark Stepnoski and Rob Van Dam and Toby Grear about their use of cannabis as atheletes. (Only Van Dam said he’d smoke minutes before performing.)

On Saturday night, we attended a fundraiser for NORML, sponsored by Harborside, which lived up to its name as an “extravaganza”, that’s for sure.

Fantastic conference, kudos to the NORML staff and volunteers for making it happen!

A noteworthy event in Bozeman put together by our friends at Patients & Families United:

Bozeman Holiday Inn, Baxter Lane (near 7th Ave interstate exit)
7—10 pm, Saturday, September 19
$5 admission

The event will feature live, legal, fragrant, flowering marijuana plants – along with displays on marijuana science and policy – and, of course, “free brownies.”

Most of all, Patients & Families United will be very proud to present Ethan Nadelmann, the undisputed national leader of the growing movement to end the “drug war,” speaking on:

“Obama’s Drug War?”

Nadelmann is a powerful speaker, here’s a couple vids:

* On FOX news: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcBbbPKHGJU
* Drug War’s Racist Roots: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iifGYnffrBI

Hope to see you there!

Each recycling station was decorated with big hand-painted signs. Volunteers sat next to each recycling/garbage station and would point to the right bin with their swords. Usually when I put something in a recycling bin I have all these lingering doubts– “Maybe they don’t take type 42 plastics?” Not at the Hempfest! Recycling here was, well, fun and easy. Thanks, guys!