Cannabis Business Licensing in Montana
Date of Last Update: October 26, 2020
In this video, 3C CEO Nic Easley gives an overview of what changes are pending in Montana and the first action steps needed to prepare for adult-use licensing opportunities.
Program Details
Type of Program
- Medical
Regulatory Agency
History of Legalization in Montana
Voters legalized medical marijuana in Montana in 2004. In 2011, the Montana Legislature amended the initiative via Senate Bill 423, which banned medical marijuana advertisements, limiting dispensaries to having three users, and requiring state review of doctors who prescribe marijuana to more than 25 patients per year. In 2012, medical marijuana advocates attempted to repeal the bill but were unsuccessful at the ballot box. After being tied up in the courts for five years, the legislature's bill went into effect on August 31, 2016.
Market Metrics
- Estimated Adult-Use Sales Year 1: $57.9 million (MGO)
- Estimated Adult-Use Sales Year 4: $175.2 million (MGO)
- Population: 1.1 million
- Number of Licensed Operators: 545
- Number of Registered Medical Patients: 36,422 (3.41% of the population) as of January 31, 2020.
- Tax Rate: 4% of the gross retail price
- Montana has a bonafide medical cannabis program that includes chronic pain and PTSD as qualifying conditions.
Licensing
Montana will begin accepting medical cannabis business license application through the Complia online portal on October 29, 2020. If I-190 passes, applications for adult-use cannabis are estimated to open before October 2021.
How to Get Started
- Pay close attention to Montana’s I-190 ballot initiative.
- Find ideal locations that are currently zoned for medical cannabis and can potentially be utilized for adult-use.
- Form a strong team with both cannabis and outside-industry experience.
Pending Changes to Montana's Cannabis Program
In January 2020, New Approach Montana submitted a ballot initiative, Montana I-190 , to legalize adult-use cannabis. On August 13, 2020, Montana's Secretary of State announced that the initiative had qualified for the November ballot.
If passed, new adult-use business opportunities would open in the state for residents only. Licensees would have to be vertically integrated but would be permitted to sell up to 50% of their products to other licensed cannabis businesses on a wholesale basis.
To date, 3C has developed cannabis license applications for clients in over 50 markets globally. Our team is standing by and ready to help you plan for, complete, review, and submit your application. Now is the time to get a head start.
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