Process Begins On Licensing For Recreational Marijuana Cultivation

Montana was one of four states in the country where voters approved the legalization of recreational marijuana on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The other states were Arizona, New Jersey and South Dakota. The outcome of the elections increase the number of states to 15 that have legalized recreational marijuana. In addition, Mississippi and South Dakota approved measures to allow medical marijuana.

Montanans approved I-190 and CI-118 to approve a 20 percent tax for recreational marijuana and set the minimum age requirement at 21.

Legal possession of marijuana in Montana begins on Jan. 1, 2021. Recreational sales are scheduled to begin in January 2022. Each county has the option to prohibit dispensaries in their county.

Montana voters approved I-190 by a 57-43 percent margin.

The Montana Office of Budget and Program Planning anticipates the state could generate close to $38.5 million a year by 2025.

Wrong for Montana, founded by Steve Zabawa of Billings, opposed the measure.

“Do we want more stoners in our family? If the answer is ‘yes,’ all we have to do is legalize recreational marijuana,” Zabawa said in a story by the UM School of Journalism. “I’m just stepping out and saying it’s wrong for Montana. It’s not pristine, it’s not healthy, it’s not productive, and it’s not a good idea for Montana.”

The City of Wolf Point discussed an application for a third marijuana dispensary in the community, next to the Wolf Point Cafe, at the Nov. 16 council meeting. The permit application is pending a review from the city.

Under the new law, the Department of Revenue will license and regulate the cultivation, transportation and sale of marijuana and marijuana- infused products. The department will inspect premises where marijuana is cultivated or sold and will collect the 20 percent tax on the retail sales of the products.

“There’s a lot of work ahead before the first legal sale of non-medical marijuana in Montana, and before the first license is issued,” said Gene Walborn, director of the department. “We look forward to working with the public and all interested parties as we develop guidelines around this new industry to move it forward, while also protecting public safety and raising revenue for the state of Montana.”

Currently licensed providers in the Montana Medical Marijuana Program may apply for the new non-medical licenses for the first 12 months of the law’s implementation. Other applicants will have to wait one year to apply.

The Montana Legislature is expected to further address aspects of the initiative during its upcoming session. Governor- elect Greg Gianforte said during the campaign that he would vote against I-190 but it would be up to Montana voters to decide the measure’s fate.