Montana Initiative 190 and CI-118 Passed – Now What?

Montana Initiative 190 and CI-118 Passed – Now What?

On November 3rd, 2020, Montana voters had the opportunity to vote on Initiative 190, to legalize, regulate, and tax adult-use marijuana; and Constitutional Initiative 118 (CI-118), to give the state the authority to set the minimum age of marijuana consumption at 21, in Montana.

Montana Initiative 190 passed with a 57% for and 43% against, and CI-118 passed with a 58% for and 42% against.

What does this mean for Montana and the Marijuana Program?

I-190 now allows Montana to legalize, regulate, and tax adult-use marijuana.

Under the statutory measure, marijuana sales will now be taxed at 20%. The law gives Montana current medical marijuana providers (medical marijuana businesses) first entry into the adult-use market, allows for limited personal possession and cultivation, tightly regulates production and distribution, shifts regulatory authority for marijuana to the Montana Department of Revenue, and creates new funds for veterans, healthcare, education, infrastructure and conservation efforts.

Furthermore, Initiative 190 allows the possession and use of one ounce or less of marijuana or 8 grams or less of marijuana concentrate for people over the age of 21 in Montana. It now allows individuals to grow up to four marijuana plants and four seedlings for personal use.

Montana residents can possess, use, and grow marijuana on January 1, 2021.

The Montana Department of Revenue is responsible for regulating the cultivation, manufacture, transport, and sale of marijuana. The department will also begin to accept marijuana provider and dispensary applications by January 1, 2022.

CI-118 is a constitutional amendment that gives the state the authority to set the minimum age of marijuana consumption at 21.

Montana CI-118 amends Section 14, Article 2 of the Montana Constitution allowing the legislature or a citizen initiative to establish the legal age of purchasing, consuming, or possessing marijuana, as the legislature did with alcohol. The legalization of marijuana for medicinal use was approved by voters back in 2004, and now the legalization for recreational use has been approved as well.

We encourage those interested in starting a marijuana business, to be proactive and establish your Business and Financial plans. If you are interested in applying for a marijuana business license in Montana, email us to discuss how we may be able to assist you.