Marijuana Initiative Qualifies For Ballot

The secretary of state says that medical marijuana advocates have collected enough signatures to let voters decide whether they like the Legislature's new crackdown on the industry.

Montana Cannabis Industry Association wants to return to the original medical marijuana law voters approved in 2004. Legislators behind the new crackdown argue the state's prior law was far too permissive.

Now it will be up to voters to decide.

The Montana secretary of state says that at least 26,000 signatures were collected to qualify the referendum for the 2012 ballot. The office says that is enough to certify the measure for the ballot.

The secretary of state says that another proposed referendum over eminent domain powers held by utilities is far short of qualifying for the ballot.

Signatures are still being counted.

Associated Press