Montana House approves medical pot repeal

HELENA, Mont., Feb. 11 (UPI) -- The Montana House of Representatives has approved a measure to repeal the state's 6-year-old medical marijuana law, which now goes to the State Senate.

The 63-37 vote that fell mostly along party lines in the Republican-controlled House came as medical marijuana use has grown in the 15 states that have approved its use, The New York Times reported Friday.

"We were duped," said House Speaker Mike Milburn, a Republican and sponsor of the repeal bill, saying arguments about medical use had been a pretext for encouraging recreational use and creating a path to full legalization.

"This bill says, shut down everything -- it's gone way too far," Milburn told the House chamber before the vote.

Democratic lawmakers said repeal was not the answer to issues raised by medical marijuana.

"We tried prohibition," Rep. Diane Sands said. "Marijuana has been in our community for years; it is not going away.

"We have to deal with that fact."

If the State Senate, also controlled by the Republicans, approves the measure, it would face an uncertain fate on the desk of Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

Schweitzer has urged tightening of marijuana laws but has not taken a position on repeal.

His spokeswoman, Sarah Elliott, said in an e-mail, "The business has gotten out ahead of the regulatory environment, and we need to build some boundaries."