State: Up to 43K signatures needed to stop pot law

HELENA — The Secretary of State's office has determined that medical marijuana advocates need at least 31,000 signatures to block the Legislature's overhaul bill from becoming law.

Marijuana advocates say they plan a petition of the strict regulations that Gov. Brian Schweitzer is expected let become law. If successful, they would block the law from taking effect this summer and put the issue on the 2012 ballot.

Secretary of State chief legal counselor Jorge Quintana wrote in a memo Tuesday that 15 percent of voters in at least 51 House districts must sign the petition.

The Secretary of State's office says that between 31,000 to 43,000 signatures are needed, depending on the size of the districts targeted. Organizers have six months from the end of the legislative session to gather the signatures.