Kirk Johnson of the New York Times covers the economic angle of repealing Montana’s medical marijuana referendum:

Questions about who really benefits from medical marijuana are now gripping Montana. In the Legislature, a resurgent Republican majority elected last fall is leading a drive to repeal the six-year-old voter-approved statute permitting the use of marijuana for medical purposes, which opponents argue is promoting recreational use and crime.

If repeal forces succeed — the House last month voted strongly for repeal, and the Senate is now considering it — Montana would be the first to recant among the 15 states and the District of Columbia that have such laws.

In Bozeman, a college and tourism town north of Yellowstone National Park, construction jobs and tax collections dried up just as the marijuana business was blossoming; residents and politicians here say the interconnection of economics and legal drugs would be much more complicated to undo.

Something the morality economy-geared legislature seems to be forgetting. For those with few options, marijuana can be an excellent idea. I do not use it myself, but I know people who have benefitted greatly- with pain management issues, insomnia, low appetite and nausea- all issues persons with chronic illness such as HIV can have as a result of legally prescribed medication. It makes sense that this relief also be legally prescribed.

If it becomes illegal and you knew it had helped you, would you break the law?