One of the issues facing Montana voters on election day is the legalization of recreational marijuana in the state. Tax revenue from legalizing recreational marijuana in Montana could help a variety of groups, including veterans.

New Approach Montana gathered enough signatures to get two initiatives added to the ballot in November. Earlier in the week, we put up a poll to see where Montana voters stood on the issue.

Here are the results from the poll.

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According to people who took the poll, 79.38% are in support of recreational marijuana legalization in Montana, with only 19.59% in opposition. Only one person was undecided. To be honest, we were surprised by the results.

If you haven't voted in the poll, please feel free to do so.

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

If you have any questions about voting in Montana is the upcoming election, you can find out everything you need to know here.

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.

newapproachmt.org/
 

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