Although yesterday (4/20/14) was Easter Sunday, 4/20 is also known as “weed day” and it’s been called that since the 1970s. 420 was a supposedly police code for someone smoking pot.

You never know what knowledge you’ll obtain by reading The Western Word!

Back in 2004 Montana voters approved Initiative 148 (I-148) which allowed the medical use of marijuana (they should have called it I-420). It was approved by a whopping 62% to 38% vote. I voted for I-148. After it was approved, the state basically screwed up the implementation of the initiative, the state legislature got involved, and the Feds came in and put the hammer down on many medical marijuana providers.

It was a mess. Meanwhile Washington and Colorado approved recreational use of marijuana and will be reaping the benefits of the taxes.

On Friday I read a Lee Newspapers story about a Billings businessman named Steve Zabawa who “has proposed an initiative for the November 2014 ballot that effectively would ban the possession, use, cultivation, trafficking and transportation of marijuana in Montana.”

Why?

He told Lee Newspapers, “If it’s an illegal drug by the federal government, it should be illegal in Montana.” Plus he added this little jewel that is sure to anger some, “The federal government trumps the state, so why do we want to put our citizens in jeopardy?”

I’m sure that some of the boys and girls who play for 90 days every two years in the Montana Legislature will appreciate hearing the “federal government trumps the state” comment.

The proposal has a long way to go as it was just received by the Secretary of State’s office on April 17, and it’s being called “Ballot Issue #17” at this time. It is being reviewed by the Legislative Services Division. You can check the status of it and other proposed ballot initiatives HERE.

According to Lee Newspapers, “To qualify for the November ballot, backers of the initiative must get the signatures of at least 24,175 registered voters, including 5 percent of the voters in 34 of the state House districts. The deadline for turning in signatures is June 20.”

If Zabawa’s initiative makes it to the November ballot, I won’t be supporting it. There are more important laws for states to enforce than busting people for using marijuana. Montana has a severe problem with drunk driving that could use more resources (as well as tougher judges). It seems almost every week we read that someone has abused a child – we could use more resources in this area, too.

Zabawa and the supporters of his ballot initiative should concentrate on combating the real problems that tarnish on our great state. Smoking a little weed is not one of them.

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