Medical marijuana measure passes in Montana

Voters in Montana approved 62% to 38% a ballot measure that would allow doctors in the state to prescribe medical marijuana to people with chronic illnesses, including HIV and cancer. Montana joins nine other states with laws allowing medical marijuana use--Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. Voters in Oregon rejected 58% to 42% an initiative to expand the state's existing medical marijuana law to allow users of the drug to possess up to a pound of marijuana and grow up to 10 plants. The ballot measure also would have required groups that distribute medical marijuana to obtain state licenses. Alaska voters rejected 57% to 43% a ballot initiative that would have allowed marijuana possession by any state resident age 21 or older.