The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

As most of you know in Montana Initiative 190 passed by 56%.

Chouteau County Deputy Rosijpal told me, “Only the counties that voted yes for recreational Marijuana can sell it.” Hill county and Cascade both voted yes, so it is legal for them to see it recreationally. He reminded me that “Chouteau County can still sell medical marijuana. In Fort Benton, that is the Fat Hippie.” He continued to say, “Technically, there are no dry counties in Montana because anyone in Chouteau can purchase marijuana and bring it into the county.”

You must be 21 years old to purchase it, and if you use it irresponsibly, creating unsafe situations, you will be stopped and tested. Rosijpal said, “depending on circumstances, you can only possess only l ounce. You can still get a DUI. We still have our field sobriety test.” The highway patrol has some experts.

Testing for a DUI for a person under the influence of marijuana is a blood draw. The same as we do for the (alcohol) DUI.” They take them to a local medical center, and if the person refuses, it is an automatic six-month suspension of their driver’s license. With a 2nd refusal, we can get a warrant to arrest.

He doesn’t think there will be any real problem with marijuana in the area. “It won’t be any major issues.”

Even medical use of marijuana has some concerns. When I researched the use of marijuana, I discovered the following risks. It has been researched and reported that with the use come some short-term memory issues, and if used over a period of time, it can affect your long-term memory as well. It has been known to create anxiety and depression. Marijuana lowers dopamine production. If smoking it can cause lung damage and a persistent cough. Those who use it are at a greater risk for heart attacks, diseases, and stroke.

Those who promote marijuana (cannabis) believe it improves lung capacity, helps treat depression, and alleviates anxiety—just the opposite of the risks mentioned above.

They tell other benefits of cannabis: Relief of chronic pain, helps to lose weight, and regulates and prevents diabetes. It fights cancer, shows promise in autism treatment, controls seizures, and mends bones; cannabis helps with ADHD/ADD, treatment for glaucoma, slows the development of Alzheimer’s disease, and helps with PTSD symptoms. It helps relieve individuals with multiple sclerosis, reduces side effects linked to hepatitis C, treats inflammatory bowel diseases, and helps tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease.

With so many contradictions concerning the effectiveness and risks involved with marijuana, one should first visit with their medical provider before using marijuana (cannabis). Now with the availability of this legal drug, it shouldn’t just be purchased without understanding what the drug will do to you.