Seeking Your input on Medical Marijuana

Dear Editor,

The Valley County Commissioners are seeking public opinion on a possible county ordinance dealing with medical marijuana dispensaries. The county had ordinances in effect in 2011 and 2012, but when the state tightened the requirements; the ordinance was allowed to lapse. Currently there is one dispensary in operation in Valley County; this business is seeking to expand, as described in the Courier article in this issue.

Under the state law, cities and counties can adopt ordinances or resolutions prohibiting providers from operating dispensaries or as storefront businesses within their jurisdictional boundaries or, provide for regulations such as inspection of premises and labs. The City of Glasgow currently has an ordinance prohibiting dispensaries in the city limits. The options available to the county under the state law range from no ordinance to prohibiting all dispensaries.

Medical marijuana is regulated by the Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS). For information on the regulatory requirements currently in effect visit dphhs.mt.gov/marijuana.

We encourage concerned citizens to do some serious research on medical marijuana and the regulations in place, as there are valid points, both pro and con.

Public hearings, the first and second readings of ordinances, are scheduled for Jan. 14 and Jan. 28, at 6:30 p.m., in the county courtroom. We would appreciate hearing from you prior to the first hearing. You may call the commissioner's office at 228-6219, e-mail us at [email protected], or just drop by the office. We want to hear from you.

Thank you,

Valley County

Commissioners