Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to revise Montana's laws regarding recreational marijuana by instituting a requirement for individuals to obtain a marijuana identification card to purchase marijuana or marijuana products. The bill outlines eligibility criteria for obtaining this card, including being at least 21 years old, submitting a $200 application fee, and proving Montana residency. The Department of Revenue will maintain a registry of cardholders and issue identification cards that include personal information, a unique identification number, and a photo. Temporary cards can be issued during the application process, and the department is required to act on applications within 30 days. The bill also emphasizes the confidentiality of cardholder information and specifies that marijuana can only be possessed by "marijuana cardholders and registered cardholders," replacing the previous language that allowed possession by "adults 21 years of age or older."

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the Montana Code Annotated to clarify the legal framework surrounding marijuana use, including the introduction of new definitions and the expansion of licensing types for marijuana-related businesses. Significant changes include the replacement of the term "consumer" with "marijuana cardholder," ensuring that only registered individuals can purchase marijuana. The bill also establishes a tracking system for marijuana from seed to sale, mandates a semi-cashless payment system for dispensaries, and clarifies the legal status of marijuana possession and cultivation for registered cardholders. Furthermore, it outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Revenue in monitoring the marijuana industry and introduces new provisions regarding licensing and penalties for marijuana-related businesses. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, with certain provisions becoming effective earlier on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 16-12-101, 16-12-102, 16-12-104, 16-12-105, 16-12-106, 16-12-108, 16-12-109, 16-12-110, 16-12-111, 16-12-201, 16-12-202, 16-12-203, 16-12-206, 16-12-208, 16-12-210, 16-12-222, 16-12-224, 16-12-503, 16-12-513, 16-12-515, 16-12-533, 18-7-101, 41-5-216, 45-9-203, 46-18-202, 61-11-101
SB0255_1(1): 16-12-101, 16-12-102, 16-12-104, 16-12-105, 16-12-106, 16-12-108, 16-12-109, 16-12-110, 16-12-111, 16-12-201, 16-12-202, 16-12-203, 16-12-206, 16-12-208, 16-12-210, 16-12-222, 16-12-224, 16-12-503, 16-12-513, 16-12-515, 16-12-533, 18-7-101, 41-5-216, 45-9-203, 46-18-202, 61-11-101
SB0255_1(2): 16-12-101, 16-12-102, 16-12-104, 16-12-105, 16-12-106, 16-12-108, 16-12-109, 16-12-110, 16-12-111, 16-12-201, 16-12-202, 16-12-203, 16-12-206, 16-12-208, 16-12-210, 16-12-222, 16-12-224, 16-12-503, 16-12-513, 16-12-515, 16-12-533, 18-7-101, 41-5-216, 45-9-203, 46-18-202, 61-11-101
SB0255_1(3): 16-12-101, 16-12-102, 16-12-104, 16-12-105, 16-12-106, 16-12-108, 16-12-109, 16-12-110, 16-12-111, 16-12-201, 16-12-202, 16-12-203, 16-12-206, 16-12-208, 16-12-210, 16-12-222, 16-12-224, 16-12-503, 16-12-513, 16-12-515, 16-12-533, 18-7-101, 41-5-216, 45-9-203, 46-18-202, 61-11-101
SB0255_1: 16-12-101, 16-12-102, 16-12-104, 16-12-105, 16-12-106, 16-12-108, 16-12-109, 16-12-110, 16-12-111, 16-12-201, 16-12-202, 16-12-203, 16-12-206, 16-12-208, 16-12-210, 16-12-222, 16-12-224, 16-12-503, 16-12-513, 16-12-515, 16-12-533, 18-7-101, 41-5-216, 45-9-203, 46-18-202, 61-11-101