Senate gives final OK to medical marijuana bill

The Montana Senate gave its final approval today to a bill that would increase the amount of medical marijuana patients may possess and expand the list of diseases for which the drug can be prescribed. Senate Bill 326 passed with a vote of 28-22.

The bill would increase the legal amount of medical marijuana a patient can possess from 1 ounce to 3 ounces. It would also expand the narrow list of diseases for which the drug can be prescribed to include diabetes, post-traumatic stress disorder, hepatitis C and Alzheimer's, among others.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Ron Erickson, D-Missoula, said he aimed to ease more people's pain and expand access to the drug for those who already have prescriptions.

"This bill would significantly help the 1,600 people who currently hold medical marijuana cards," Erickson said.

The bill now heads to the House.

- by CNS reporter Shanda Bradshaw