On Friday, Sen. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, introduced a bill to dismantle the adult-use cannabis industry in Montana.
Senate Bill 546 contains several provisions that would drastically alter the state’s cannabis marketplace. Primarily, it focuses on “eliminating adult-use dispensaries.” The bill additionally raises the state tax on medical cannabis from 4% to 20% and puts significant limits on medical cannabis potency and allowable amounts for possession. While the bill prohibits non-medical cannabis sales, it does not re-criminalize cannabis possession for adults. It halves the number of plants an adult can grow at home from two mature plants to one.
According to the bill text, SB 546 intends, in part, to “reduce the demand for cannabis sales” in Montana. The bill currently does not have any co-sponsors.
Sen. Jason Small, R-Busby, chair of the Senate Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs Committee, confirmed to Montana Free Press Monday that his committee will hold a hearing on SB 546 on Wednesday, March 29.
Read more at montanafreepress.org