Flood Drive to Begin June 6, 2011

  Concerned medical marijuana advocates in Billings will be holding a flood drive beginning June 6, 2011 at the silent vigil. Please bring any of the items listed below to any of the vigils or drop off locations listed below. All items donated will be taken to the Billings Food Bank June 20, 2011 to aid those that have been effected by recent flooding.

Items to Donate:

• bottled water, any size
• infant formula
• baby food
• diapers – all sizes
• toilet paper
• paper towels
• soap
• shampoo
• toothbrushes/toothpaste
• combs/brushes
• feminine hygiene products
• clothing from infant to adult (clean and in good repair if not new)
• blankets, linens, towels, wash cloths, etc
• cooking utensils
• plates, paper or washable, eating utensils, plastic or regular
• non perishable food items like: shelf-stable milk, one-can meals, cereals, canned fruits and vegetables, juices, crackers, peanut butter
• kids toys, coloring books, activity items
• dog and cat food
• sleeping bags, air mattresses
• First Aid Kits/items

Vigil Locations:

• 201 N. 27th St. – June 6 @ 4:30 p.m. and June 13 @ 5:00 p.m.
• 3045 King Ave. West – June 10 @ 5 p.m.

Drop Off Locations:

• 3733 Montana Ave. – (406)839-2209
• 2225 Main St. #6 – (406)672-8860
• 124 N. 30th St. – (406)697-6902
• 2625 Overland Ave. Suite C – (406)281-8198
• 724 Grand Ave. – (406)294-9333
• Billings Food Bank – 2112 4th Ave. N. – (406)259-2856

Silent Vigils Coming Soon

Silent vigils have been planned for the afternoons of the next two Billings City Council meetings. Since the city council voted to try and create an emergency ordinance to prohibit medical marijuana store fronts prior to July 1, 2011, we are asking that all medical marijuana advocates meet at 201 N. 27th St. in Billings, Mt for these vigils.

On Monday, June 6 the vigil will start at 4:30 p.m. This is the day of the City Council Work Session which will start at 5:30.

On Monday, June 13 the City Council will hold its regular meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. and the vigil will begin at 5 p.m.

Don’t forget to bring your signs and please remember that we need to be respectful at both of these vigils.

Signatures Update

The latest news on the petition is that the Secretary of State had approved the language for the petition and sent it on to Legislative Services. It was then returned to the MTCIA with the legislative comments/concerns and is currently in the hands of attorneys who are tweaking the language of the referendum petition to address those concerns.

There are still many volunteer positions that need to be filled in order to be ready to gather signatures when the time comes. District and city captains are being signed up now along with petition gatherers. Anyone wishing to volunteer can fill out the MTCIA volunteer registration form by going to http://www.mtcia.org/referendum.

Essman Speaks in Billings, MT

Sen. Jeff Essman will be speaking about SB423 tonight (Wednesday June 1, 2011) at the Billings Unitarian Universalist Fellowship from 6:30 – 9:30. We are hoping that everyone who shows up will have a chance to have their questions about SB423 answered at this meeting.

 

Billings Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

2032 Central Ave.

Billings, MT

Billings City Council Meeting

It has been brought to our attention that Cherrie Brady, Susan Smith, and Barbi McLaws asked the city council to adopt an emergency ordinance prior to July 1, 2011 banning medical marijuana store fronts at the last council meeting, which was held May 23, 2011. These three referenced section 13(2) of SB423 when making their request and a motion passed to have staff look into creating an ordinance for the meeting to be held June 13, 2011.

Taking a look at section 40 of SB423, which is the Effective Dates portion of the bill, it appears that section 13 is not effective until July 1, 2011 so an emergency ordinance cannot be implemented until then. We are asking that all concerned citizens in Billings, MT attend the city council meeting on June 13, 2011 at 6:30 pm to voice your opinion.

City Council Meeting June 13, 2011 @ 6:30 pm

220 N. 27th,  2nd floor

Billings, MT 59101

Signatures will be needed…

The petition was sent to the Secretary of State on May 13, 2011. Since no signatures can be gathered while the petition is waiting for approval, we need to be talking to our friends/family/neighbors about their views on SB423 and whether they would be interested in signing the petition. Remember that only registered voters will count as a valid signature on the petition, so go out there and make sure that you and your friends are registered. All you need to do is fill out one simple form, which can be found here for printing, and drop it off at your county election office or mail it to your county election administrator. Hopefully we will be able to start gathering signatures on or after June 13, 2011.

Anyone who would like to volunteer to help gather signatures should send an email to petition@mtcia.org for more information.

Funds Needed to Continue SB423 Legal Battle

The MTCIA posted today that the change of judge request was granted so Judge Reynolds will now preside and the hearing will be held June 20-21, 2011. The advertising ban restraining order will also be in effect until the June hearing as the hearing for it was combined with the main complaint in the SB423 law suit.

Unfortunately, funds are still needed to continue the battle. Anyone wishing to donate can click here or send a check to:

Montana Cannabis Industry Association
PO Box 9085
Missoula, MT 59807