Barb Trego is a 56-year old medical marijuana patient in East Helena, Montana, and she recently filed paperwork with the Secretary of State’s office to begin the process of getting an initiative on the state ballot to decriminalize marijuana and treat it like alcohol.

Trego – who served in law enforcement as a deputy sheriff and reservist in Lewis and Clark Counties in Montana, is seeking a constitutional amendment decriminalizing cannabis and says, “Let us end the pointless battles. Let us stop treating medical marijuana and non-medical marijuana differently. Let us stop treating alcohol and marijuana differently.

“We are far better off as a state, and as a society, if the people who wish to participate in the purchase, production or consumption of either product are subject or regulations and taxation, not prohibition.”

Her initiative language must be reviewed by several state agencies before she can begin collecting signatures.

Her proposal would amend the state constitutional provision that says a person 18 years of age or older is an adult for all purposes, although the Legislature or the people by initiative may set the legal age for purchasing, consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages.

Trego would add this language: “Adults have the right to responsibly purchase, consume, produce and possess alcoholic beverages and marijuana, subject to reasonable limitations, regulations and taxation. Except for actions that endanger minors, children or public safety, no criminal offense or penalty of this state shall apply to such activities.”

This is not to be confused with the ballot petition designed to completely overturn Montana’s new, restrictive medical marijuana rules, many parts of which have been struck down by a judge.

- Joe Klare