Montana voters recently voted overwhelmingly in favor of legalizing marijuana for adults 21 and over, with the passing of Montana Initiatives 118 & 190.
I-118 amends the state constitution to set the legal age for marijuana consumption, purchase, and possession at 21 years of age.
I-190 legalizes the possession and use of limited amounts of marijuana for adults over the age of 21. I-190 requires the 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 requires licensed laboratories to test marijuana and marijuana-infused products for potency and contaminants. I-190 establishes a 20% tax on non-medical marijuana. 10.5% of the tax revenue goes to the state general fund, with the rest dedicated to accounts for conservation programs, substance abuse treatment, veterans’ services, healthcare 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 re sentencing or an expungement of the conviction. I-190 prohibits advertising of marijuana and related products.
Marijuana taxes and fees will generate about $48 million annually by 2025. Marijuana fees will fund program administration and enforcement. Marijuana taxes will contribute to the general fund and special revenue accounts for conservation, veterans’ services, substance abuse treatment, healthcare, and local governments. The general fund will net $4 million.
The campaign responsible for getting the initiatives on the ballot is New Approach Montana, a political group based in Helena, MT. According the to their website they,”…envision a Montana in which adults are no longer arrested for responsibly consuming marijuana and where tax proceeds from marijuana sales are invested in veterans services, conservation programs, substance abuse treatment, long-term health care, and municipal services.”
You can visit their website at newapproachmt.org for more information and news.