Council, medical marijuana providers open dialogue

A work meeting between two medical marijuana providers and the Libby City Council did little Tuesday to advance city ordinances to regulate the trade, but did reveal that councilmembers are open to further dialogue and suggestions.

Mayor Doug Roll backed off from his previous proposal to ban medical marijuana providers in the city, an idea that stemmed from the city’s existing business license ordinance that states that businesses must follow all local, state and federal laws. Montana legalized medical marijuana in 2004, but federal law doesn’t recognize its medicinal use and continues to classify the drug as a controlled substance.

Bob Praml and Richard Evans, two men who grow medical marijuana outside Troy and sell it from Praml’s home in Libby, said that they want to work with the city to pull providers out of the residential neighborhoods and into the open alongside other legitimate businesses owners.

“We need to get out of the neighborhoods,” Praml said.

“We don’t want to feel like we’re doing it out the backdoor,” Evans later said.

The men offered to set up a dispensary to sell the drug for local medical marijuana growers. It would offer security and a storefront and they would keep meticulous records, they said, but not give out patient names.

“How do you get all the providers to do that?” Roll asked.

Praml responded, “We would purchase from any grower that wants to provide.”

City Attorney Heather McDougall pointed out that the law only allows for providers, or caregivers, to be in possession of a certain amount of the drug at a time, depending on how many patients they have. For example, a provider could face criminal charges if they have a store filled with other caregivers’ crops.

The council also determined that the site of their proposed business would lay just outside the city limits, so it would not fall under forthcoming city ordinances.  

State Rep. Jerry Bennett, who was in attendance, said that eventually the state would address the shortcomings of the vague Medical Marijuana Act that municipals have been grappling with, though it could take years.

He pointed out that every other trade is regulated, including his septic business.

“My records are audited every six months,” he said. “I don’t send my client list but I send in invoice numbers.”

He told the men that they must monitor their own industry.

“Those that are taking advantage and selling to junior high and high school kids should only get one chance,” Bennett said.

Regular new businesses receive a visit from the city building inspector and fire marshal, Roll pointed out, and legal grow operations shouldn’t be any different.

Councilmember Vicky Lawrence suggested providers form a cooperative. She is also in favor of moving providers into the business district.

“We do not allow businesses in neighborhoods without a variance,” she said.

Praml and Evans plan to set up a meeting with local medical marijuana caregivers to brainstorm ideas to address city concerns.