The folks at The Montana Cannabis Industry Association are currently in a battle to repeal the restrictive medical marijuana rules enacted in their state in 2011, rules that ban the commercial sale of cannabis and place tougher restrictions on patients and doctors, and that have practically wiped out medical marijuana in Montana. The number of medical marijuana providers is down a whopping 91% since last year.

The MCIA is suing for a repeal of the law and say they have enough money to get the case to the state Supreme Court hearing later this month, but after that the money is gone. They say they need a better rate of fundraising to see the case through to the end and are urging those who would benefit the most from a restoration of medical marijuana rights to give what they can.

The MCIA says it has already spent about $150,000 on the lawsuit, and will need another $100,000.

The fact that the medical cannabis industry in Montana has been wiped out cannot be helping the fundraising situation as all those revenues are now going to the black market or into thin air. It’s an uphill battle to say the least.

And if things go south in Montana for medical marijuana advocates, the federal government will be able to use the resources focused there to intimidate another state into submission. If the battle is lost in Montana, someone else is going to feel the hammer as well.

As the numbers stand now, medical marijuana advocates have the momentum In terms of states passing and considering medicinal cannabis bills, but if even one state is forced to backtrack can we still call it “momentum?”

In the end can anyone really consider themselves free as long as those in even one state have had their rights stripped from them?

Source: http://www.greatfallstribune.com