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The issue has stirred heated debate between advocates and opponents, and on Tuesday evening, city commissioners officially banned medical marijuana businesses within Great Falls city limits.

During the meeting, commissioners heard from those for and against medical marijuana and then took a vote on ordinance 3054, which bans the operation of a medical marijuana business in the city.

Commissioners Fred Burow and Mary Jolley voted against the measure, but ultimately it got the majority vote it needed from the other three commissioners: Bill Bronson, Bob Jones, and Mayor Michael Winters.

After the vote, Mayor Winters said, "My heart goes out, my heart is heavy for those people who'll actually need this. The problem is the ones who really need it are the ones that are being harmed the most by the ones who abuse it. With that said, it's just time to do something."

Commissioners expect the Montana Legislature to take up the issue during the upcoming 2011 session, which could provide further direction for individual city regulation of the substance.

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