By You are still free to get high in ‘Big Sky’. That’s because last week, lawmakers in Montana voted to introduce legislation that would effectively dismantle the state’s new adult cannabis program.
Republican Senator Keith Legier introduced Senate Bill 546 last month to end recreational marijuana dispensaries in Montana.
Nearly 60% of Montana voters approved a ballot initiative to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and older in November 2020. This set the regulatory framework for the state-sanctioned recreational cannabis market.
Recreational cannabis sales began last year and will ultimately bring in more than $200 million to the state in 2022.
The Montana Department of Revenue reported in January that in 2022 adult marijuana sales will be $22947,328 and medical cannabis sales will be $93,616,551. (Montana voters legalized medical marijuana in 2004.)
However, Regier’s bill never passed the Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee, which held a hearing on the bill on March 29.
“I think it’s good not to make voters think their voice doesn’t matter. Then they really turn their backs on this whole process,” said Kate, who represents the Montana Cannabis Industry Association, an industry group. Cholewa said at a hearing on the bill last week: As quoted by montana free press.
per outlet In his opening remarks at the hearing, Regier raised this objection, stating that “there are several examples of voters’ wills being overturned.” (“Two of his three examples he cited involved voter initiatives that were overturned by courts rather than legislators.”) The Montana Free Press pointed out.)
Regier’s bill would have “increased the state tax on medical marijuana from 4% to 20% and placed drastic limits on the efficacy and permissible possession of medical marijuana.” montana free press reported last month.
The issue of marijuana potency was raised at a committee hearing last week.
“You don’t need to have a 90% potency marijuana product unless you’re trying to addict your child.”
As quoted by the Montana Free Press, Dr. Kevin Sabett, co-founder and president of Safe Approaches to Marijuana, a national anti-marijuana organization, said: “It’s simply the only reason to do it. Or work addicts[sic]have accidents on the street.”
But on Thursday, members of the Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee decided that enough had been heard and introduced the bill 6-4.
according to montana free press, “Three Republican committee members — Senate Speaker Jason Ellsworth, Committee Chair Jason Small, and Senator Walt Sales — have joined all three Democrats in opposing the bill.
This may not be the Montana legislature’s final word on cannabis reform.
Last month, the same state Senate committee “heard testimony on two marijuana-related bills.” According to local news station KTVH, Including “prohibits Montana marijuana businesses from advertising their businesses or brands in print, on television or radio, or by using signage.”
Another proposal states that marijuana companies may label their products to indicate that use of marijuana during pregnancy can cause ‘birth defects and hereditary cancers that develop in children later in life’. Fix warning labels that must be KTVH reported.
Tax revenue from marijuana sales in Montana is used to support many programs in the state. heart fundwhich funds substance abuse treatment in Montana.
“Funding a full continuum of substance abuse prevention and treatment programs for the community, the HEART Foundation offers new support for Montana residents who want to stay clean, sober, and healthy,” state Republicans said. Governor Greg Jeanforte said in 2021.
