Blair Miller
(Daily Montanan) Sen. Keith Regier’s bill to repeal adult-use marijuana in Montana is an effort to undo the will of voters, would kill hundreds of small businesses and thousands of jobs, harm sick people who rely on medical marijuana, and cost the state millions of dollars, opponents told a Senate committee Wednesday.
Nicole Hobday, a former industry employee who testified in opposition, said the bill was a waste of time and taxpayer resources that would hurt Montana businesses and people’s health.
“This bill is obvious, frivolous culture war. It’s an obvious losing battle that the people of Montana have already spoken on multiple times,” she said.
In the 14 months since adult-use marijuana sales started, sales have averaged more than $25 million a month, bringing in more than $50 million in tax revenue for Montana.
Regier’s Senate Bill 546 was formally introduced last Friday and saw its first hearing in the Senate Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs Committee on Wednesday, six days before next Tuesday’s deadline for all appropriations, revenue and referenda bills to pass at least one chamber.
The measure contains a multitude of changes to Montana’s marijuana industry. It aims to end adult use in favor of a registry-only medical model; increase the medical marijuana tax; reduce THC levels for flower, concentrates and edibles; raise the age for marijuana industry workers; limit possession amounts; and increase cardholder license fees.
A fiscal…
