Lawmaker wants to study legalizing recreational marijuana in Montana

[TexasTowelie]

Trying to get ahead of an expected citizen-driven ballot initiative in 2020 to legalize recreational marijuana, a lawmaker is asking for the Legislature to study the issue.

In 2004 voters passed an initiative to allow medical marijuana in the state. In 2011 the Legislature put restrictions on the program, which drastically reduced the number of medical marijuana cardholders. The 2017 Legislature then enacted a tax on gross sales, as well as a seed-to-tracking system and limits on the number of plants and usable marijuana.

Sen. Diane Sands, a Democrat from Missoula, said the Legislature was caught unprepared to respond to a voter-passed medical marijuana program and she doesn't want to see that happen if voters pass a referendum allowing recreational marijuana in 2020.

"It gives us the opportunity to get ahead of an issue instead of waiting and reacting," Sands said. "I fully expect that legalization will be on the 2020 ballot by an initiative."

Read more: https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/lawmaker-wants-to-study-legalizing-recreational-marijuana-in-montana/article_f6625529-6c7c-52af-b2a7-2be4dcc68f69.html

[Wellstone ruled]

1. How interesting.

Have not been to Montana in two years,and the last trip one could wiff the scent of the Happy plant in just about every town in the State.

[SWBTATTReg]

2. Another study? Why don't the representive call other reps in other states and ask them? ...

Just seems a waste of time and an attempt to perhaps slow the initiative down or bury it in needless paperwork/busy body work...from what I'm hearing, most states where it's legal, it's bringing in a nice chunk of change critical to state budgets.