Deadline looms for fall ballot measures

HELENA, Mont. – Montana voters this fall could be deciding the fate of two competing marijuana initiatives if elections officials confirm supporters have gathered enough signatures to qualify the issues the November ballot. Friday is the deadline to submit those signatures.

An initiative meant to expand the rights of crime victims and their families is thus far the only initiative to have been certified for the general election. But backers of the competing marijuana measures say they have collected the minimum number of signatures needed.

Initiative 176 would repeal any state laws allowing marijuana to be used for medicinal purposes, conforming state law to federal law. The other measure, I-182, would expand legal access to the drug.

Signatures were also being gathered for two other marijuana initiatives, as well as four other measures.