House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise local election laws concerning the approval or disapproval of marijuana businesses in Montana. The bill stipulates that municipal elections to approve or disapprove marijuana businesses can only be held in municipalities with a population of more than 5,000 persons, as determined by the most recent federal decennial census. Additionally, it amends Section 16-12-301 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to clarify the process for local governments to regulate marijuana businesses and the conditions under which these businesses may operate based on voter approval.

The bill also includes provisions that allow municipalities with the specified population to conduct separate elections regarding marijuana business operations, while ensuring that the votes from municipalities are counted separately from those in the rest of the county. Furthermore, it allows local governments to prohibit the transportation of marijuana within their jurisdictions, provided that the transportation is conducted by licensed individuals. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval, and it applies retroactively to elections held on or after the effective date.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 16-12-301
HB0298_1(1): 16-12-301
HB0298_1(10): 16-12-301
HB0298_1(2): 16-12-301
HB0298_1(3): 16-12-301
HB0298_1(4): 16-12-301
HB0298_1(5): 16-12-301
HB0298_1(6): 16-12-301
HB0298_1(7): 16-12-301
HB0298_1(8): 16-12-301
HB0298_1(9): 16-12-301
HB0298_1: 16-12-301