Recreational marijuana gets the tentative green light in Montana
Election Day saw a majority of Montana voters give the stamp of approval to a pair of initiatives that broaden the legal use of marijuana in the Treasure State. One of those initiatives, I-190, will allow the state Department of Revenue to approve applications for the sale of recreational marijuana with an additional tax attached.
Currently, the Montana Medical Marijuana Program, ran by the Dept. of Health and Human Services, is only available for those citizens who qualify to be cardholders. Unlike the medical marijuana program, I-190 only legalizes possession for adults 21 and over.
The newly seated state legislature is expected to address the initiative during the coming session, which begins on Jan. 4. If adopted into law, I-190 will allow the Dept. of Revenue to “license and regulate the cultivation, transportation and sale of marijuana and marijuana-infused products, and will inspect premises where marijuana is cultivated or sold.” Applicable licenses will be accepted beginning October 1st of this year.
I-190 comes with a huge earnings incentive for the state, its 20% tax on recreational marijuana projected to add roughly $48M in annual revenue by 2025.
As stated in the official ballot language, “10.5% of the tax revenue goes to the state general fund, with the rest dedicated to accounts for conservation programs, substance abuse treatment, veterans’ services, healthcare costs, and localities where marijuana is sold.”
The initiative also allows those serving sentences for acts permitted by I-190 the possible eligibility for resentencing or expungement.
Further details regarding licensing and implementation will be announced by the Montana Dept. of Revenue in the coming months.
Read the full I-190 text at https://sosmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/I-190.pdf. •
