With the Federal authorities raiding several medical marijuana growers in Montana this week, it raises several questions and leaves one dazed and confused.
People may remember that Montana legalized the use of medical marijuana in 2004 (62% voted for it). The Feds contend it’s “reefer madness” in Montana since that happened, so they decided to raid some businesses citing they were in violation of the federal Controlled Substances Act. According to a story in the Great Falls Tribune, the feds “executed 26 criminal search warrants and four civil seizure warrants in 13 Montana cities…”
The press release from the U.S. Attorney’s office said it was an 18-month investigation. One can only imagine how long it would have taken if the medical marijuana shops had been hidden…
My first thought was, “Aren’t there more important criminal issues in Montana to deal with than some pot?” Most people probably feel that way because as a society we have developed a callousness toward minor drug use.
Not many people would have imagined that a “liberal” or “progressive” U.S. Department of Justice would crack down on medical marijuana growers in of all places Montana. In all but a couple of locations, Montana is pretty much a buttoned-up and straight-laced place.
Leading the charge was the U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana, Michael W. Cotter, who was recommended for that job by U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester (both Democrats). Readers may remember that Cotter was the second choice for Montana’s U.S. Attorney as Baucus recommended his girlfriend (and state director) to President Obama, initially. That job kind of fell through, but there’s good news: Baucus will marry his former state director this summer…
This raid also brings up the age-old battle of states’ rights. Another interesting twist was the federal government used state and local law enforcement officials in conducting the raids. I’m not a constitutional scholar (or a lawyer thinking I am a constitutional scholar), but these actions raise some interesting arguments.
Although the Republican-controlled Montana House of Representatives decided they wanted to do away with the voter-approved medical use of marijuana, the Feds kind of took a different path to probably accomplish the same goal.
The question is will those same anti-federal government folks in the Montana Legislature sit back and allow the Feds to rain on their parade?
The Western Word 
Good question. Seems to me the GOP controlled house is pretty picky about which federal laws they want to abide by. Judging from past performance I would venture to guess that they will completely ignore feds seizing pot and closing several small businesses because they don’t like pot. On the other hand they will more then likely also nullify the ESA and cost our state 1 billion in fed $. They are so hypocritical it is hard to tell what they will do.
Luke – Yes they are, so this might get interesting, and the politics of it might make for a good show! Thanks for stopping by. -Jack