State approves medical marijuana ballot petition

HELENA (AP) — Medical marijuana advocates can begin gathering signatures in their attempt to suspend a more restrictive medical marijuana law passed by the 2011 Legislature.

Secretary of State Linda McCullough notified the Montana Cannabis Industry Association Tuesday that Attorney General Steve Bullock has found the proposed ballot language legally sufficient.

Association spokeswoman Kate Cholewa tells Lee Newspapers of Montana that the group's first task is to train volunteers who will be collecting signatures in an effort to let voters decide on medical marijuana regulation. She says they expect to have petitions on the street beginning this weekend.

The group is also awaiting a judge's decision on its legal challenge to the law.