Archive for the ‘Missoula’ category

Missoula Police Inspecting Caregiver Gardens

January 14th, 2010

We’ve recently heard from a caregiver who was purchasing their business license in Missoula that during the administrative process, they were informed that they’d be getting a call from the police to arrange an inspection of the garden.

I called the city business licensing department to inquire whether this was true, and if so, what ordinance or statute authorized such inspections.

The young woman with whom I spoke partially confirmed the story, saying that the police department “would like to have that information” (garden locations), for “safety reasons.” I paused, daring her to elaborate.

“Like, in case of theft, and to make sure there’s nobody hanging around who shouldn’t be,” she said.

She then referred me to the Missoula Police Department. She explained that all caregiver business licenses are run past the police department so that they can check with DPHHS and make sure the applicant is actually a registered caregiver.

A couple of days ago, I called and left a message for Lt. Steve Brester, who handles the background checks. In the message, I asked whether the police were requesting or requiring garden locations. He has not returned my call so far.

I’m of two minds on this topic. On the one hand, there’s no statute I’m aware of that singles out medical marijuana garden businesses for additional inspection, and so the police really have no legal right to inspect without a search warrant.

On the other hand, the medical marijuana community should be trying to stay on as friendly terms as possible with law enforcement, as a good faith, good neighbor, good community member measure.

The 2011 legislature will almost surely see attempts to expand and restrict (or worse, repeal) Montana’s medical marijuana law. Ideally, 2010 will be spent building bridges, not stockpiling ammo (metaphorically speaking).

Legal marijuana gardeners, what do you think?  Cooperate, or demand a search warrant?

Recycling at the Missoula Hempfest

September 13th, 2009

hempfest-recycleThis was my first year at the Missoula Hempfest, and it was really fun! I was surprised how many people there were. It was especially nice to see a strong emphasis on recycling.

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!

It’s a Beautiful Day…

September 12th, 2009

At the Missoula Hempfest :)

Hempfest!

September 11th, 2009

For more than a decade, Missoula Hempfest has been the biggest regional event in celebration of the remarkable cannabis plant.

It’s tomorrow, from noon til 10PM. Live music, hemp beer, all manner of hemp crafts and fashions, and several important speakers talking about the legal, medical, social, and industrial aspects of one of the earth’s most useful crops.

We’ll be there with our busted stories and various other items of interest. Hope to see you there.

Missoula crash yields 5 lbs, and here’s why:

September 7th, 2009

Five pounds of marijuana just disappeared from the streets of Missoula (be sure to read the comments too).

Here’s the formula to ensure this happens again:

  1. make it a crime to possess or grow marijuana

That one step is all that’s needed, and here’s why:

  • When something that adults want is criminally prohibited, it becomes more expensive due to the risk.
  • Wholesalers take the biggest risks and have a chance at large profits.
  • They have to deal in cash, which they unavoidably carry around in large quantities from time to time.
  • To protect their cash from thieves, they sometimes carry guns.

The average citizen isn’t comfortable carrying around lots of cash and guns, but thugs are. So the market becomes controlled by thugs with guns who do things like the events alleged in this story, or a few years back when some local gun-toting football players beat people up for their marijuana.

I can already hear the shrill voices of the alarmists screeching “See how bad marijuana is!? It makes people crazy!

No, what’s crazy is that we have handed control of marijuana commerce to the thugs.

UPDATE: Told ya!

Missoula police ignored marijuana at Roots Fest?

September 5th, 2009

Just read this blurb in the Missoula Independent (p 6):

Aside from the music, the day features a marijuana legalization advocate toking up in the middle of Main Street, begging for attention from passerby and police. Two officers — one on a cell phone, one walking a puppy — stroll by without seeming to notice.

I hope they did notice, and decided to follow the voters’ recommendation to treat adult marijuana as their lowest possible priority.

Did anyone witness this? Did anyone witness any olice actions on marijuana that day? Let us know!