"In 2004, 62% of Montana voters passed I-148 to create a medical marijuana program for certain patients. SB423 repeals that voter initiative entirely and creates a new program that requires doctors to pay the costs of being investigated for every recommendation made to more than 25 patients; requires pain patients to see two doctors if they lack proof of their pain's etiology; requires providers to produce marijuana free to patients regardless of cost and to provide their fingerprints to the FBI and Department of Justice; and provides no legal way to obtain cannabis seeds and plants."

The petition asks people whether they are for or against Senate Bill 423, "which repeals I-148, becoming law."

The proposed petition must be reviewed by several state agencies, which may suggest changes, before the association can begin collecting signatures.

Placing a referendum on the ballot requires the signatures of 5 percent of the registered voters in 34 of the 100 state House districts and 5 percent of the total votes cast for governor in 2008 or 24,337 votes.

To suspend a law passed by the Legislature, backers must get the signatures of 15 percent of the voters in 51 of the 100 House districts. They will need to obtain between 31,238 and 43,247 signatures, depending on which state House districts they use.