Montana unveils its cannabis regulation

Forced by his constituents to legalize cannabis, the Montana has authorized since January 1st possession of 1 ounce (28g) of cannabis (or 8g of concentrate or 800 mg of THC (consumable) and the cultivation of 4 mature cannabis plants for personal use. Retail sales of cannabis, however, are exclusively for registered patients.

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has released his plan to regulate cannabis in the state. Governor Gianforte's plan includes:

• the prohibition of home cultivation, despite the legalization of 4 plants per person by voters
• $201 plus $3 in sales tax, plus local taxes and fees
• a default ban on local sales unless cities opt in
• a THC limit of 351ppm in flowers

Sales would begin in January 2022.

Amendments still possible

The proponents of Initiative 190, which was voted on last November, hope to be able to pass amendments before the regulation is implemented.

The bill indeed calls for strict regulation around packaging and advertising: all cannabis will have to be packaged in simple black and white, and logos will be prohibited. It also calls for a continued ban on all advertising, which is already in place for the program. medical marijuana in the state.

«Once logos, images, or distinctive signs are removed from packaging, consumers will no longer have an easy way to find products that match their preferences,» said Michael Zens, co-owner of High Road Edibles, to Leafly. «We understand that products shouldn't appeal to children, but we believe this packaging approach will harm consumers.»

And finally, recreational self-cultivation would be prohibited even though it was voted on by the voters.

«We will certainly push to add elements of restorative justice that we had worked into Initiative 190,» said Pepper Petersen, CEO of the Montana Cannabis Guild, a pro-cannabis lobbyist and author of Initiative 190. «Someone arrested for having a joint 20 years ago in another state or municipality should not impact their ability to participate in Montana's cannabis market.»

«I think there will be a lot of amendments in the House that will be destroyed when they get to the Senate. Senate amendments are the only ones that matter,» said Pepper Petersen.