Jacob Bell
New Member
Two Great Falls area men have a plan to stimulate state senior citizen programs by using licenses and fees from medical marijuana operations to restore money that is proposed to be cut from services to the elderly.
Grant Grenfell and Ken Lindeman are caregivers under the state's medical marijuana program
After legislators meeting in Helena proposed cuts in state social service and health programs, including services to older people, the pair began pushing Senate Bill 154, sponsored by Sen. Dave Lewis, R-Helena, regulating medical marijuana.
Grenfell said marijuana growers view money from licenses and fees as a way to supplement senior citizen programs. He said half the proceeds from licenses and fees would be used to make up for budget cuts to senior programs.
"We're going to be replacing that," Grenfell said.
SB154 was heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 11, but no vote had been taken through Friday.
"Whether you like it or not, it's here," Lewis said of medical marijuana at a Feb. 11 hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Lewis said the medical marijuana business "was literally exploding in size" in the Helena area two years ago.
Grenfell said some legislators might balk at using marijuana fees to support social programs. However, Lindeman said conservatives like "to look at dollars and cents," and he hopes legislators can be persuaded that medical marijuana can help the state budget.
Grenfell, who is president of the Great Falls chapter of the Montana Medical Growers Association, said the group invites senior citizens to attend a Senior Day to hear about the legislation from 1 to 5 p.m. March 18 at the 406 Club, formerly Murph's, at 5515 2nd Ave. N. Free finger food and ice cream will be served.
The general public is invited to hear about the group's plan to supplement state programs at 1 p.m. March 19 at Club 406.
Lindeman said perhaps half of the revenue created by the bill would go to senior programs.
"We're focusing on the seniors and how we want to help them," Lindeman said.
The Great Falls men noted that if legislators vote to repeal the state's medical marijuana law the issue of regulating marijuana would go away.
News Hawk- GuitarMan313 420 MAGAZINE
Source: greatfallstribune.com
Author: Richard Ecke
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: greatfallstribune.com
Website: Some say medical marijuana fees could assist state
Grant Grenfell and Ken Lindeman are caregivers under the state's medical marijuana program
After legislators meeting in Helena proposed cuts in state social service and health programs, including services to older people, the pair began pushing Senate Bill 154, sponsored by Sen. Dave Lewis, R-Helena, regulating medical marijuana.
Grenfell said marijuana growers view money from licenses and fees as a way to supplement senior citizen programs. He said half the proceeds from licenses and fees would be used to make up for budget cuts to senior programs.
"We're going to be replacing that," Grenfell said.
SB154 was heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 11, but no vote had been taken through Friday.
"Whether you like it or not, it's here," Lewis said of medical marijuana at a Feb. 11 hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Lewis said the medical marijuana business "was literally exploding in size" in the Helena area two years ago.
Grenfell said some legislators might balk at using marijuana fees to support social programs. However, Lindeman said conservatives like "to look at dollars and cents," and he hopes legislators can be persuaded that medical marijuana can help the state budget.
Grenfell, who is president of the Great Falls chapter of the Montana Medical Growers Association, said the group invites senior citizens to attend a Senior Day to hear about the legislation from 1 to 5 p.m. March 18 at the 406 Club, formerly Murph's, at 5515 2nd Ave. N. Free finger food and ice cream will be served.
The general public is invited to hear about the group's plan to supplement state programs at 1 p.m. March 19 at Club 406.
Lindeman said perhaps half of the revenue created by the bill would go to senior programs.
"We're focusing on the seniors and how we want to help them," Lindeman said.
The Great Falls men noted that if legislators vote to repeal the state's medical marijuana law the issue of regulating marijuana would go away.
News Hawk- GuitarMan313 420 MAGAZINE
Source: greatfallstribune.com
Author: Richard Ecke
Contact: Contact Us
Copyright: greatfallstribune.com
Website: Some say medical marijuana fees could assist state
