Helena Independent Record, 30 Sep 2010 – Joining several local governments in the state of Montana that have already done so, the Helena City Commission on Wednesday held its first public discussion about medical marijuana — though the talk ended on a somewhat less-than-decisive note. "I don’t sense any consensus here amongst the five of us right now," said Mayor Jim Smith at the end of the hourlong conversation.

The Flathead Beacon, 29 Sep 2010 – Facing an onslaught of new regulation sure to be passed by the 2011 Legislature, Montana’s medical marijuana growers and caregivers are attempting to put a new face on their industry. Business groups, local governments and the industry itself recognize the "Wild West" atmosphere of medical marijuana in Montana is about to draw to a close. And that has these disparate interests bracing for a long 90 days beginning in January fighting for their desired outcome on medical marijuana rules. The Montana Chamber of Commerce and National Federation of Independent Business are busy drafting legislation they say will protect small business owners against discrimination lawsuits from marijuana users and clarify where drug tests can be administered. The medical marijuana industry, meanwhile, is focused on legislation laying out how many plants and patients are permitted, rules they say could have a make-or-break effect on their business.

Sidney Herald Leader, 26 Sep 2010 – According to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, in December 2008 there were 1,577 patient card holders for medical marijuana. A year later in December 2009, 7,339. By June there were 19,635, and as of Sept. 1, there were 23,187 card holders. It’s those numbers that make officials concerned about flaws in the Montana Medical Marijuana Act that was passed in 2004. During a Kiwanis meeting Thursday, local officials discussed the problems they face with the law and some of the changes they’d like to see.

The Billings Gazette, 27 Sep 2010 – After hours of public testimony on Monday night, the City Council voted to extend a moratorium on medical-marijuana businesses and back away from a proposed zone change that would have banned or restricted medical-marijuana businesses in the city. Council members were given several options on regulating medical- marijuana businesses, including restricting them to a small part of the city or banning them outright. But the council voted, 9-1, to withdraw the proposed zone change, which means it could come back in a few months.

Missoulian, 25 Sep 2010 – HELENA – The Obama administration adamantly opposes legalizing marijuana and has a dubious view of medical marijuana as well, a top White House drug policy adviser told a Helena conference. Kevin Sabet, special adviser for policy in the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, said marijuana is a dangerous drug that causes documented health and social problems, and should not be subject to voter-approval for its use.

The Billings Gazette, 24 Sep 2010 – HELENA — The Obama administration adamantly opposes legalizing marijuana and has a dubious view of medical marijuana, a top White House drug policy adviser said here Thursday night. Kevin Sabet, special adviser for policy at the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, said marijuana is a dangerous drug that causes documented health and social problems, and should not be subject to voter approval for its use.

The Billings Gazette, 26 Sep 2010 – As a retired physician relocating to Billings to be with family, I am concerned over the ease at which people can acquire cannabis under the guise of medical marijuana. Many people seek out a physician, not for his expertise in diagnosis and treatment but rather to specifically obtain a prescription to acquire a marijuana card. Marijuana is most often sought for the symptomatic relief of undiagnosed acute and chronic pain or for recreational purposes. Sadly, there are some physicians who will proffer these prescriptions without doing a proper medical work up. The term medical marijuana serves to make the distinction as to whether its use is legal versus illegal. It should be remembered that the effects of marijuana on the body are the same regardless of whether it is used medically or recreationally. Medically, the standard of care dictates that a physician, on eliciting the patient’s primary complaint, takes a detailed medical history, followed by a physical examination. Appropriate laboratory studies are performed as indicated. On arriving at a diagnosis, a treatment plan is formulated consisting of the appropriate modality to provide relief or cure. These modalities include surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications and alternative therapy. Marijuana might be the best choice for a patient, but often other modalities offer a better solution. Once the appropriate treatment has been determined, follow-up examinations ensure that the patient’s response to therapy is optimal. If marijuana is used for treatment, its use should be dictated by ethical medical professionals.

Helena Independent Record, 25 Sep 2010 – The Obama administration adamantly opposes legalizing marijuana and views medical marijuana dubiously as well, a top White House drug policy adviser said here Thursday night. Kevin Sabet, special adviser for policy at the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, said marijuana is a dangerous drug that causes documented health and social problems and should not be subject to voter-approval for its use.

DrugSense

Missoulian, 18 Sep 2010 – In the days leading up to his suicide, Colton Peterson assumed a free fall of self-destruction. Caught in the jetstream of drugs, violence and legal trouble, the 21-year-old Missoula native fought to right himself, but only spiraled into a sharper nosedive. The more he struggled, the faster his world spun off its axis and with no one willing or able to intervene, his life ended in tragedy.