Bill could inadvertently increase marijuana use

HELENA — The Montana Board of Medical Examiners says a bill intended to restrict who can get medical marijuana contains wording that will end up having the opposite result and increase eligibility.

Board members tell the Independent Record that House Bill 68 as written creates a "laundry list" of qualifying medical conditions that would increase medical marijuana use.

Dr. Kristin Spanjian of Billings says the bill lists "inflammatory or degenerative arthritis" as a problem that qualifies.

Spanjian said Friday that probably 40 percent of the population has degenerative arthritis. Spanjian says that unless it's accompanied with chronic pain, there's no a reason for medical marijuana.

House Bill 68 is sponsored by Democrat Rep. Diane Sands of Missoula on behalf of the Legislature's Children, Families, Health and Human Services interim committee.

HELENA — The Montana Board of Medical Examiners says a bill intended to restrict who can get medical marijuana contains wording that will end up having the opposite result and increase eligibility.

Board members tell the Independent Record that House Bill 68 as written creates a "laundry list" of qualifying medical conditions that would increase medical marijuana use.

Dr. Kristin Spanjian of Billings says the bill lists "inflammatory or degenerative arthritis" as a problem that qualifies.

Spanjian said Friday that probably 40 percent of the population has degenerative arthritis. Spanjian says that unless it's accompanied with chronic pain, there's no a reason for medical marijuana.

House Bill 68 is sponsored by Democrat Rep. Diane Sands of Missoula on behalf of the Legislature's Children, Families, Health and Human Services interim committee.