Montana Legislators Reject Bills to Weaken Cannabis Laws
In 2020, 57% of Montana voters approved Initiative 190, legalizing adult-use cannabis. However, in 2025, Senator Greg Hertz (R) introduced SB 255 and SB 443 to restrict cannabis access.
- SB 255 proposed a $200 annual registration fee and a state-run consumer registry. The bill failed without a hearing.
- SB 443 aimed to cap THC levels at 15%, banning most products. It was defeated in committee (11-1) and rejected by the Senate (27-23).
Five Years of Legal Cannabis in Montana
Montana’s adult-use cannabis market launched in January 2022. Since legalization:
- Some counties approved dispensaries and a 3% local tax, while others opted for local bans.
- The moratorium on new business licenses was extended until June 2025.
- Synthetic THC products (like Delta-8) were banned.
- Cannabis sales surpassed $1 billion in early 2025.
- Over $150 million in tax revenue has funded public health, veterans’ services, conservation, and local governments.
Timeline of Cannabis Reform in Montana
- 2004: Medical cannabis legalized.
- 2011: SB 423 restricted patient access.
- 2016: I-182 restored access to medical cannabis.
- 2020: I-190 and CI-118 legalized adult-use cannabis.
- 2021: House Bill 701 adjusted cannabis laws.
- 2022: Adult-use sales began.
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