Decriminalization VS Legalization

Do You Understand the Difference?

Many voters believe that strong prison sentences for possession of small amounts of pot are overkill. So, when given an opportunity to vote for the legalization of recreational marijuana, they voted “yes”. But did that vote actually accomplish what they thought it did?

Legalization of cannabis is the process of removing all legal prohibitions against it. Cannabis would then be available to the adult general population for purchase and use at will, similar to tobacco and alcohol. Decriminalization is the act of removing criminal sanctions against an act, article, or behavior.

The legalization of recreational marijuana opened our state’s doors and welcomed commercial growers. Commercial growers are not your neighbors who might be cultivating a couple of plants in their backyard. Commercial growers are big business conglomerates who don’t care about Montana citizens – they simply want your money.

If you think the audience that commercial growers target are only adults who can smoke marijuana responsibly, you are incorrect. Commercial growers target anyone who they can convince to purchase their products. This includes vulnerable youth who are lured to their products disguised as candies in the form of edibles.

Should Montana be looking to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana? Would that satisfy the objective while keeping big business growers out?

Be careful what you wish for – or at least be sure you have done your homework before you blow out the candles on the cake. We have options. You are the voters. Let your opinions be known to your legislators and our Governor that commercial pot shops are not welcome in Montana. Support our fight with a donation to keep Montana family-friendly by repealing I-190. Join our coalition of families, organizations, businesses and legislators. Together, we can keep Montana the Big Sky State instead of becoming the Big High State.