This bill revises Montana's marijuana business licensing laws by instituting a moratorium on the issuance of new licenses for marijuana premises and preventing existing licensees from adding additional licensed premises until July 1, 2027. During this moratorium, the Department of Revenue will only accept applications from individuals associated with existing licensed premises, effectively limiting new applications. The bill also introduces a tiered canopy system for cultivators, allowing those under a combined-use license to increase their licensure level by more than one tier at a time, up to a tier 5 canopy license, without meeting certain requirements. Additionally, a tiered fee structure for cultivators is established, with fees ranging from $1,000 for a micro tier to $37,000 for a tier 12 license.

Moreover, the bill modifies the licensing process for dispensaries, requiring applicants to show local government approval in areas where voters opposed Initiative Measure No. 190 in the November 2020 election. It permits adult-use dispensaries to operate at shared locations with medical marijuana dispensaries if they are owned by the same individual and sets specific THC content limits for products sold at dispensaries. The bill clarifies local government authority to regulate marijuana businesses and outlines the process for local elections regarding the approval of marijuana business categories. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_1(1): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_1(2): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_1(3): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_1(4): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_1(5): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_1(6): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_1(7): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_1: 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_2(1): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_2(10): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_2(2): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_2(3): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_2(4): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_2(5): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_2(6): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_2(7): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_2(8): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_2(9): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_2: 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_X(1): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_X(2): 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301
SB0027_X: 16-12-104, 16-12-201, 16-12-210, 16-12-223, 16-12-224, 16-12-301