he four founders of Montana Cannabis, one of 1,402 registered marijuana caregivers in Montana, are diverse activists brought together by a common bond — to lawfully and professionally, with dignity and openness, provide people with specific medical ailments a natural, non-narcotic product that makes them feel better.

Each brings a special set of skills to the company, which they founded in April.

Three of the four operate out of a nondescript building on the edge of Helena, where a grandmotherly looking receptionist sat stuffing envelopes on a recent fall day. The office is unusual for what’s not there too. You won’t hear Bob Marley blasting from speakers and the air isn’t heavy with smoke, although you might occasionally catch the distinct marijuana aroma.

Tom Daubert is the political guy. Five years ago, he helped write legislation that 62 percent of the voters passed in Montana to legalize medical marijuana, and he also worked with Patients and Families United to get legislation passed in 2007 that would make the law more workable for patients. He’s tall and soft-spoken, the elder statesman in the operation.

Chris Lindsey is the legal eagle. His black-framed glasses give him a scholarly air, off-set by his habit of drawing his feet up and sitting cross-legged on his chair as he ponders answers to questions posed. He’s a bit thin and his sallow tone, in part due to his Crohn’s disease.

Chris Williams is the farmer. Lanky and laid-back, Williams is serious about growing the best marijuana possible for patients. He’ll talk for hours about plant genetics, cloning, fertilizers, good bugs and bad bugs, cannabinoids and the difference between sativa and indica types of marijuana (hint: think DayQuil vs. NyQuil).

A fourth partner, Richard Flor, is based in eastern Montana. He’s described as an average guy — average height, average weight with nondescript prescription glasses and graying long hair worn in a braid. The Helena trio joke about how he’s the three of them rolled into one.

All are card-carrying medical marijuana patients. As registered caregivers, they can provide marijuana to other patients registered with the state.

They met while testifying before the Legislature in 2007, and discussed how the system wasn’t working for people. Contrary to public opinion, just because marijuana is a weed doesn’t mean it grows like one, so people who obtained the six plants they’re allowed under the law often unintentionally kill them.

People were turning to the black market to get their medical marijuana, but felt like criminals, and the street drugs’ potency was inconsistent. They didn’t have a choice between strains that are used for different ailments. Those who didn’t want to smoke marijuana, but sought its medicinal benefits, had few other options.

So Montana Cannabis was born, which Daubert says will “set the gold standard” when it comes to this growing cottage industry. He and others in this business know they walk a fine line between legal distribution and felony charges in a market clouded with negative stigmas.

“We want to be the example of how to navigate the law and how to fulfill the voter’s intent,” Daubert said. “That’s why we created this outfit. We might not be the gold standard, but we are a gold standard, and may be the largest (company) doing that in the state.”

 Reporter Eve Byron: 447-4076 or eve.byron@helenair.com

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