[420 Girl]

Montana - It was one of the most packed meetings in recent memory. In a controversial move late Tuesday night, the Great Falls City Commission approved a three month moratorium on medical marijuana businesses in the city limits.

While some people at the meeting spoke for the moratorium, most people on hand spoke out about their concerns with how this 90 day hold will effect medical marijuana caregivers and their patients in Great Falls.

Brandon Peressini opened the doors to Medical Montana in the Columbus Center about six months ago with his two brothers.
He says, "This is of course not a dispensary. We have never considered ourself a dispensary from the beginning. This is just like any other office space where behind closed doors we can meet with legitimate patients with legitimate concerns."

Pressini and his borhters started up their business when their stepmother who suffers from severe nerve damage was told by a doctor that medical marijuana would help ease the pain. Their business now serves about 100 patients and they are looking to expand even more.

Right now, they are in negotiations to take over the top floor of the building to build a greenhouse and alternative healing center. It is a place that has not been used in over two decade but with this new 90 day hold, those plans have come to a standstill.

Peressino says, "My question really is, if we're halted on taking over the 7th floor and it hasn't been inhabited in 20 years, whos going to do it? Or is it going to sit here for another 20 years?

Peressini says he does not understand the stigma surrounding medical marijuana. He says he has not had any problems at his current location. He notes, "We've been operating for six plus months and there is no harm and there has yet to be a single complaint to the city. We're here to provide medicine to patients and that's it."

But some local business owners disagree. They say they are concerned about medical marijuana providers setting up shop in their neighborhoods. Ben Forsyth, Owner of Forsyth Paint in Great Falls says people do not always see the violent side of marijuana. It's a side he claims he experienced first hand over the weekend.

Forsyth says, "One individual who stands to make considerable money off the medical marijuana knew I was opposed to marijuana and called on the phone and threatened me, my wife, and my business."

That is why Forsyth is hoping the moratorium is extended past its 90 days. It is something the city says could very well happen. Forsyth notes, "I think the moratorium will reduce the abuse, not eliminate it, but reduce it which means its harming fewer people."

Peressini says with any venture that has potential to make money there is going to be good people and there's going to be those that abuse the system.


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