Is It Time To Legalize Recreational Marijuana in Montana? [POLL]

In Montana, one of the major issues on the ballot in November is recreational marijuana legalization.

New Approach Montana has received enough signatures to add two initiatives, CI-118 and I-190 to the ballot in November.

Montana CI-118, the Allow for a Legal Age for Marijuana Amendment, is on the ballot in Montana on November 3, 2020.

According to ballotpedia.org;

• A "yes" vote supports amending the Montana Constitution to allow for the legislature or a citizen initiative to establish a minimum legal age for the possession, use, and purchase of marijuana, similar to the regulation of alcohol in the state constitution.

• A "no" vote opposes amending the Montana Constitution to allow for the legislature or a citizen initiative to establish minimum legal ages for the possession, use, and purchase of marijuana.

Montana I-190 will also be on the ballot in November. Montana I-190 is the Marijuana Legalization and Tax Initiative.

• A "yes" vote supports legalizing the possession and use of marijuana for adults over the age of 21, imposing a 20% tax on marijuana sales, requiring the Department of Revenue to develop rules to regulate marijuana businesses, and allowing for the resentencing or expungement of marijuana-related crimes.

• A "no" vote opposes this ballot initiative, thus keeping the recreational possession and use of marijuana illegal under state law in Montana.

How will the tax revenue help Montana?

According to New Approach Montana, if Montana voters support the initiatives, legal marijuana sales are estimated to generate over $236 million for Montana from 2022-2026. That's according to a recent study published by the University of Montana's Business Bureau of Economic Research.

A 20% tax on legalized sales in compliance with CI-118 and I-190 will produce between $43.4 and $52 million in new revenue per year for Montana in the years 2022-26.

In 2022, sales of recreational cannabis to tourists will generate almost $5.9 million in tax revenue. By 2026 the projected revenue could climb to $16.8 million.

The revenue will be used to:

• Fund services to Montana veterans and surviving spouses and dependents.

• Fund programs to increase access to public lands and provide improvements for parks and trails.

• Fund state grants for substance abuse treatment and prevention

• Fund community and home health care services for elderly and disabled Montanans.

• A portion of the revenue will also be allocated to local governments that allow marijuana sales.

If you would like more information regarding CI-118 and I-190, click here.