Montana Cannabis Legislation Timeline
November 4, 2020
November 3, 2020
Montanans voted to pass CI-118 and I-190 to legalize adult-use marijuana in the state with almost 60% of the votes.
This initiated measure legalizes the possession and use of limited amounts of marijuana for adults 21+. The measure requires the Montana Department of Revenue to license and regulate the cultivation, transportation and sale of marijuana and marijuana-infused products and to inspect premises where marijuana is cultivated and sold. It also requires licensed laboratories to test marijuana and marijuana-infused products for potency and contaminants. The measure prohibits advertising of marijuana and related products. I-190 establishes a 20% tax on non-medical marijuana, with a proposed allocation of 10.5% of the tax revenue going to the state general fund and the rest dedicated to accounts for conservation programs, substance-abuse treatment, veterans’ services, health-care costs, and localities where marijuana is sold. I-190 allows a person currently serving a sentence for an act permitted by I-190 to apply for resentencing or an expungement of the conviction. (source: Bozeman Daily Chronicle) (source: Leafly) (MT Ballot Issue Results)
February 20, 2020
January 13, 2020
December 18, 2019
The restrictions include the sale of all flavored e-cigarette products, including flavored nicotine, THC, and CBD e-cigarette products, in-store and online. The rules did not require retailers to destroy their existing inventory. (source) (notice)
December 13, 2019
Since the Emergency Rules were first announced, DPHHS has confirmed five additional cases of E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) in Montana. (source) (notice)
October 30, 2019
October 29, 2019
“We are looking forward to working with New Approach Montana and allies across the state to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana,” said Graham Boyd, director of New Approach PAC.
New Approach Montana have claimed they will hold more town hall meetings across the state. (source)
October 18, 2019
October 8, 2019
June 28, 2019
September 26, 2019
May 3, 2019
SB 265 was passed.
This bill, sponsored by Sen. Tom Jacobson, D-Great Falls, included major changes to come for the Montana medical marijuana program. Areas addressed included untethering patients from one provider and allowing them to purchase from any provider, altering the canopy tiering structure, adding a temporary increase on gross sales tax from 2% to 4% and clarifying aspects of the Medical Marijuana Act such as electronic advertising requirements. (source) (bill text)
April 25, 2019
March 28, 2019
February 1, 2019
November 2018
August 2018
February 9, 2018
November 9, 2017
May 19, 2017
Governor Bullock signed into law Senate Bill 333.
Montana Governor Steve Bullock signed Senate Bill 333 into effect thus re-establishing the Montana medical marijuana program back to its previous size before the 2011 restrictions. (source)
May 2017
December 2016
Over 93 percent of patients had been cut off from medical marijuana after SB 423 from 2011 came into effect on August 29, 2016, forcing dispensary to abandon most patients.
Reynolds’ ruling granted a request in Broadwater County by Jim Goetz, representing the Montana Cannabis Industry Association, recognizing the implementation date of June 30 for the bill’s most important provisions was a clerical error” (source)
November 22, 2016
Goetz’ complaint contends the implementation date of June 30 is a scrivener’s error, and that voters passed I-182 under the belief it would be implemented immediately, not eight months later.
Three medical marijuana patients, a provider and an advocacy group also plan to ask a district judge to block the state from enforcing the three-patient cap on pot providers until the law is repealed.” (source)
November 8, 2016
Montanans passed I-182.
“Montanans passed I-182 by 57 percent” (source) “Montana voters passed I-182 by a 13-point margin. Montana’s most populous counties favored I-182, while some of the smallest voted against it.
Flathead, Cascade, Gallatin, Lewis and Clark, Missoula and Yellowstone Counties all came out in favor of the measure.
The most votes against I-182 in a single county came out of Fergus County, where 3,300 people — 56 percent — opposed the initiative. The majority of voters in Stillwater, Sweet Grass, and Musselshell Counties also opposed the measure.
In total, 29 counties opposed I-182 and 27 supported it, but the regions weighted with population carried the most sway.” (source)
September 1, 2016
August 23, 2016
July 13, 2016
February 29, 2016
February 25, 2016
July 1, 2011
SB 423 reformed the Montana marijuana program and destroyed most of it.
Senate Bill 423 repealed Montana’s voter-passed Medical Marijuana Act and replaced it with new requirements for the cultivation, manufacture, and possession of marijuana for use by people with debilitating medical conditions. SB 423 also required the Children, Families, Health, and Human Services Interim Committee to monitor the new law and to draft legislation if members decide changes to the law are needed. (source)
April 13, 2011
March 14, 2011
More than 2,880 marijuana plants and 258 kilograms of bulk and loose pot were seized, along with hundreds of unweighed containers of marijuana, hashish and food products that contain drugs, according to inventories filed with U.S. District Court in Missoula.
Also taken: 35 rifles and handguns, $37,193 in cash, five vehicles, a ski boat, computers, cell phones and cameras. Agents were authorized to seize up to $4.2 million from bank accounts in Kalispell, Helena and Belgrade, but the inventories did not include an amount actually taken.
U.S. Attorney Michael Cotter of the District of Montana has said the raids were part of an 18-month investigation into drug trafficking. No charges have been filed. (source)
July 1, 2011
Montanans created a medical marijuana program with I-148.
Senate Bill 423 repealed Montana’s voter-passed Medical Marijuana Act and replaced it with new requirements for the cultivation, manufacture, and possession of marijuana for use by people with debilitating medical conditions. SB 423 also required the Children, Families, Health, and Human Services Interim Committee to monitor the new law and to draft legislation if members decide changes to the law are needed. (source)