Montana voted on two cannabis initiatives, both spearheaded by New Approach Montana. Now, with 93% of precincts reporting, The Associated Press projects Initiative 190 and Constitutional Initiative 118 will pass, legalizing recreational cannabis in Big Sky Country.
Initiative 190 will legalize marijuana for adults 21 and over and regulate cannabis sales, while Constitutional Initiative 118 will amend the Montana constitution to make the legal age for marijuana consumption a minimum of 21 years old.
Here’s some more on what these initiatives will do:
- They legalize the possession, use, and cultivation of “limited amounts” of marijuana for those 21 years and older.
- Provide regulation and licensure for commercial cultivation, manufacturing, production, distribution, and sale of cannabis and cannabis-infused products.
- Cultivation of “four marijuana plants and four seedlings” at home is permitted.
- Local governments would have a role in establishing the standards for cultivation, manufacturing, and sale in their jurisdictions.
- A state adult-use cannabis regulatory program (under the Department of Revenue) will be in charge of licensing and regulating cannabis businesses and testing facilities.
- Retail cannabis will be subject to a 20% excise tax.
- Those with prior marijuana convictions will have the ability to have their criminal record expunged.
The adult-use cannabis regulatory program will be required to issue its first licenses by October, 2021.