Medical marijuana inititiative petition ready for signatures

HELENA (AP) - Supporters of a proposed initiative to allow Montanans to grow, possess and use marijuana for medical purposes can begin gathering petition signatures to qualify the measure for the November ballot.

The secretary of state and attorney general offices have approved the format of the petition used to collect voter signatures, the final step before backers can begin circulating the petitions.

Initiative 148 would permit the production, ownership and use of marijuana, in limited amounts, for people with a ''debilitating medical condition'' or ''chronic or debilitating disease'' for w...