House backs medical marijuana overhaul

HELENA — The House is backing a Senate proposal to overhaul Montana's medical marijuana law after making major changes to the measure.

Senate Bill 423 carried by Senate Majority Leader Jeff Essmann is aimed at significantly reducing the marijuana industry in the state. The measure was supported on a 77-23 in the first floor vote on Monday.

The bill has been amended and rewritten several times. The House revisions include requiring growers to provide medical marijuana at no cost.

Lawmakers from both chambers likely will have to resolve the differences between their overhaul proposals.

Also Monday, the Senate Judiciary Committee stopped a referendum to repeal Montana's medical marijuana law. Legislators already sent an outright repeal bill to the governor's desk.

Reps. Tony Belcourt, D-Box Elder, Kris Hansen, R-Havre, and Wendy Warburton, R-Havre, voted for the bill.