By TOM DIDDEL
In Montana’s recent struggle with medical marijuana, there are few, if any people more outspoken as Jason Christ.
Along with starting a large scale medical marijuana supply business in Missoula, Montana Caregivers Network, Christ is also known for his traveling “cannabis caravan” clinics in which large numbers of patients signed up for their medical marijuana cards. Christ often uses the drug in very public places, including once on the capitol lawn in Helena.
Christ, an outspoken and controversial figure surrounding Montana’s medical marijuana community, is in the public spotlight again for using the drug in a public place. He is accused of smoking marijuana in the University of Montana’s Law Library.
The one-time medical marijuana business owner was banned from the library after staff discovered he was smoking marijuana in the building on October 15, according to KPAX.com.
Library employees confronted him on two occasions. After an argument ensued between the staff and Christ, the campus police were called. The University of Montana’s President’s Office later banned him from the campus.
Christ is currently on trial for allegedly threatening to bring a bomb to a local Verizon store.
In a heated phone conversation with a Verizon employee over unsatisfactory phone service, Christ supposedly made mention of bombing the store. Christ is also accused of threatening to beat the employee with a cane. He is on trial for two counts of felony intimidation as a result of the alleged incident.
It is unclear whether Christ’s defense will be hampered by his recent ban from the law library.
***************
Each week, Tom Diddel recaps the week’s most talked-about story in Missoula. Visit the Make it Missoula News & Opinion section for more talk of the town.
***************
Tom Diddel has lived in Missoula on and off for nearly thirty-eight years. He enjoys skiing, hiking, and many other outdoor activities. He holds a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Montana and is currently working as a Freelance Writer and a Para-Educator.