Pubdate: Sat, 19 Jun 2010
Source: Great Falls Tribune (MT)
Copyright: 2010 Associated Press
Contact: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2502
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

SCHWEITZER VISITS MEDICAL MARIJUANA CLINIC

MISSOULA (AP) -- During his first visit to a medical marijuana 
clinic, Gov. Brian Schweitzer reaffirmed his support for the industry 
while repeating his view that new legislation governing it is 
imminent and necessary.

The governor met with Rick Rosio, president and CEO of Missoula's 
Montana Pain Management, on Thursday and heard about the challenges 
facing professional medical marijuana caregivers in Montana.

Rosio said the lack of regulation and standardized business practices 
hurts his business as much as it worries those who are unfamiliar 
with the applications and benefits of medical marijuana. He also 
portrayed his business as a legitimate operation, pointing out that 
he pays taxes and noting his business has been acquired by a publicly 
traded company based in Colorado.

Schweitzer said earlier this month legalization of medical marijuana 
has not worked out as voters planned and that the state needs a 
legislative fix. His comments were spurred by his belief that there 
are some in Montana who are smoking medical marijuana even if they don't need it
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom