Montana Reviews Logistics Associated with Cannabis Bill, Stalls Legalization
Earlier this week, business owners attested before the House Business and Labor Committee against Montana’s cannabis legislation. The legislation is House Bill 568. The bill would allow approximately115 cannabis dispensaries in the Treasure State. The logistics outlined by the bill do not make mathematical sense, claims the cannabis entrepreneurs. The bill does not support enough square feet to run a cannabis dispensary effectively.
Many Montanans expected tactics to delay cannabis legalization. Nevertheless, the people have spoken. Cannabis in Montana is a thing, whether lawmakers like it or not.
Cannabis in Montana in 2021
One of the states that shocked the cannabis community was Montana, passing legislation that supports the legalization of cannabis throughout the state. Unlike other states that were seeking legalization in 2020, Montana did not have any pro-cannabis laws on its books. This means that compliance and enforcement will be entirely new for all parties, from the significant legal guys and law enforcement to the cannabis companies and recreational Montanan stoner. The Treasure State will not provide legal access to cannabis until early 2022The Big Sky Country is likely to become a ‘Big High Country’ as possession and consumption of cannabis by adults 21 or older will be completely legal.
Unfortunately, government officials ignore the cries of the majority of Montanans who voted in favor of legalizing cannabis in the state just last year. Montana legislators have outright opposed a request from Montana’s Department of Revenue for money to fund the voter-approved cannabis legalization program. This maneuver is a tactic to delay the launch of legal cannabis sales in Montana. The governor is proposing to shift future tax revenue from sales to programs that are different from what was outlined by the bill passed by the residents in favor of legalizing cannabis in late 2020.
Evaluating House Bill 588
According to the amendment to the recently-approved cannabis bill in Montana, half of the revenue associated with cannabis would help fund environmental conservation programs. However, with every give, there is an equal amount of take. This type of fund allocation would grant reduced funding for veterans services, health care, local governments, and the general fund for Montana.
Citizens not surprised by lawmaker tactics
Remember when playing a game with your sibling would go in your favor so well that your sibling suggests new rules on playing the game? Moreover, remember how sure you were they were only changing the game simply because they never thought you’d be winning in the first place? Well, that is virtually what the Montana Government is pulling. Aside from rejecting the funds to support the bill regarding cannabis legislation in Montana, legislators have introduced an amendment in January 2020. Many residents believe that these amendments and rejections of funds for voter-approved programs are simply the way of the opposing administration of stalling the inevitable. Many did not think that Montana would legalize cannabis this early in the political revamping of the plant. This includes Montana lawmakers. This may explain why they would refuse federal funding for jobs associated with a state’s new program implementation. The Governor of Montana Greg Gianforte stated last month he would “recognize the voice” of voters regarding cannabis legislation. Well, by God, Greg: we surely can’t tell.
Montana marijuana market projections
Legalization in Montana expects to bring in more than $1.5 million in costs surrounding overseeing the state-approved program. In the months leading up to the voting of cannabis legalization in Montana, economists at the University of Montana predicted that a licensed cannabis industry could create more than $50 million in annual tax revenue once the market is up and running. However, lawmakers’ filibustering tactics are likely to freeze regulation and compliance regarding cannabis for another fiscal year.