Medicinal marijuana survives repeal in Montana

HELENA, Mont. — Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, a Democrat, vetoed a bill April 13 that would have repealed the state’s medicinal marijuana law, which has been criticized by both sides of the issue for its loopholes.

For instance, between 2008 and 2010, the number of citizens registered to use medicinal marijuana jumped from 842 to nearly 20,000, The Associated Press reported. Also, 25 percent of medicinal marijuana users in Montana are between the ages of 21 and 30, AP said. Schweitzer said he would rather see the law fixed than repealed.

The legislature is working on a separate bill that would make changes to the law without overturning it.

(TAB)