HELENA -- In just a week, some 2,000 Montanans have signed petitions to let voters in 2012 to decide the fate of the more restrictive medical marijuana law enacted this year, referendum backers said Tuesday. HELENA -- In just a week, some 2,000 Montanans have signed petitions to let voters in 2012 to decide the fate of the more restrictive medical marijuana law enacted this year, referendum backers said Tuesday.

A group called Patients for Reform - Not Repeal recently launched a statewide campaign seeking enough signatures to place Senate Bill 423 on the ballot next year. If it obtains an additional level of signatures by Sept. 30, the law will be suspended until voters in November 2012 decide whether to retain or reject the statute

The referendum and lawsuit are a two-pronged attack by some medical marijuana businesses and patients.

In addition, a separate effort announced last week by Barb Crego, medical marijuana patient from East Helena, has plans for a constitutional initiative to decriminalize medical marijuana. Backers of the referendum and lawsuit said they are not involved in the proposed decriminalization constitutional initiative.

The Montana Cannabis Industry Association and others challenged the constitutionality of the new law in court.

On June 30, District Judge James Reynolds of Helena temporarily blocked some key parts from taking effect until a full hearing is held. One enjoined provision would have prevented growers from charging patients for supplying them with medical marijuana, while another would have limited the number of patients each provider could grow pot for.

"The temporary injunction is just that," said Rose Habib of Missoula, petitioning coordinator for Patients for Reform - Not Repeal, citing the need for the referendum.

So far, Habib said she's trained more than 150 "core volunteers," who in turn have taught 500 additional volunteers on how to gather signatures correctly. More than 1,500 other people have volunteered, she said.

Local election officials must verify that those signing the petitions are registered voters so they count.