With an impending repeal bill (HB 161) looming on it’s horizon, Montana braces for the first Senate hearing on HB161 to repeal a voter initiative. Montanas medical cannabis law was passed in 1994 with a resounding 62% approval by Montana voters. HB161 was introduced early in legislative session by House speaker Mike Milburn – a representative who ran unopposed in Cascade MT. Milburns bill passed through the house fueled by “Reefer Madness” like statements, and devoid of fact.
“It is imperative that the people of Montana understand that people like Baby Cash will die without medical cannabis… legislators in Montana have to think about the patients and get away from social stigma and stereotypes.” ~ Irvin Rosenfeld, the second federal medical marijuana patient in the country through the IND Program
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Groups in Montana are abusing words like "family," "safe," and "community" and are being less than honest about their agenda. Should their efforts successfully repeal the voter-approved medical marijuana law, they will be killing Cash's chances of survival.
With the antics of the House – and another group called “Safe Community Safe Kids” – it became quite apparent to Hiedi Handford, owner and publisher of Montana Connect, that big help was needed – again.
“Facts and science are being completely ignored!” stated Handford. “Folks just seem to pay attention when they meet and question a Federal patient, as so many folks out there still have no idea the Federal patients even exist.”
Irvin Rosenfeld, Federal Patient number two and a stockbroker for in Ft. Lauderdale, flies into Montana late Thursday night, 3/10/11 to appear and speak as an informational witness on behalf of Patients Out of Time.
Mr. Rosenfeld will be in Montana until March 20, with events planned in Billings, Helena, and Great Falls.
“A large part of the focus this trip will be in Billings and Great Falls – as they seem to have the most mis-information flying around, and have passed moratoriums in their cities that are harming patients.” states Handford.
On March 16, Irvin will be in the State Capitol in Helena with Baby Cash – the youngest Montana Medical Cannabis Patient and a brain tumor survivor. “It is imperative that the people of Montana understand that people like Baby Cash will die without medical cannabis,” states Rosenfeld “That’s why this trip is so important. Legislators in Montana have to think about the patients and get away from social stigma and stereotypes”. Baby Cash is 2.5 years old – and is alive today because of his cannabis treatments.
Prior to practicing cannabinoid therapeutics, Cash wasn’t able to eat for nearly forty days and was not looking like he would survive. Once medical marijuana entered his body’s endogenous cannabinoid system he made immediate changes and is now cancer free and at a healthy weight.
Should the repeal go forward, those who will be responsible for removing safe and affordable (and legal) access should be charged with thousands of counts of endangerment, neglect, and at the very least, held to a no-confidence vote for failing to see what their efforts would do.
