Montana DOJ does not prohibit MMJ for Parolees!

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Montana Department of Corrections decides not to prohibit parolees and probationers from using medical marijuana

Dear XXX,

Late last year, the Montana Department of Corrections proposed an amendment to their administrative rules that would have prevented anyone on probation or parole from using medical marijuana — even if they were legally registered with the state. This proposed rule change would have violated provisions of Montana's medical marijuana law. Last week, the department announced that it would not change its rules, and probationers and parolees would be allowed to use medical marijuana if legally registered with the state.

By prohibiting these few individuals who happen to be on probation and parole from using their doctor-recommended medicine, the Department of Corrections would have forced them to endure excruciating pain or nausea. MPP submitted comments opposing the rule change — including arguments that the proposed change would violate Montana law — along with Patients and Families United, the Montana ACLU, and other organizations in Montana.

The Helena Independent Record has a poll on its Web site asking its readers if they think individuals on probation and parole should be allowed to use medical marijuana. The paper will have an editorial on Sunday on the subject that will mention the results of the poll. Please take a moment to vote now. The poll is located on the left-hand side of the page near the bottom. Please also tell your friends and family to vote in the poll as well. You can vote until Friday, June 6. Although this is an unscientific poll, it will help to show legislators and other officials in Montana that the public supports allowing probationers and parolees to use their doctor-recommended medicine.

Additionally, the Helena Independent Record will feature anonymous excerpts of comments received from readers. So please take a moment to send a comment to the newspaper in support of allowing individuals on probation and parole to use medical marijuana. If you would like some talking points to include in your message to the Helena Independent Record, please e-mail Zane@mpp.org.

Thank you for supporting MPP. We will continue to work with patients and activists in Montana to ensure that seriously ill patients in Montana are allowed to use their medicine, even if they're on parole or probation.

Sincerely,
Zane Hurst
Legislative Analyst
Marijuana Policy Project

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