Montana Lawmakers Consider Major Changes to State’s Marijuana Industry
At the Montana Legislature, a series of bills are being proposed that could significantly alter the state’s legal marijuana industry. One bill, Senate Bill 443, aims to cap the THC percentage in marijuana products at 15%, a move that proponents claim would protect public health, particularly among youth. The current limit for marijuana flower is 35%.
Senator Greg Hertz, the bill’s sponsor, argued that high-potency products are linked to negative health risks and that a stricter limit would be beneficial. However, industry professionals expressed concerns that the cap would be crippling to their businesses, as most products currently available exceed the 15% limit.
Jackson Kajander, a marijuana grower, stated that it would take at least a year to develop strains that meet the new requirement, and warned that the change would drive users back to the black market or to other states, resulting in job losses for the 7,000 people employed in the industry.
Another bill, Senate Bill 307, would redirect tax revenue from marijuana sales to fund substance abuse prevention and treatment, as well as marijuana enforcement. Supporters argue that this would provide resources to tackle the black market, while opponents claim it would disrupt consistent funding sources for conservation programs.
Additionally, House Bill 636 would limit the THC content of marijuana edibles and prohibit the sale of products that are attractive to children. Senate Bill 375 would prohibit the sale of edible products containing hemp.
The proposed changes have sparked debate among lawmakers and industry professionals, with some arguing that the measures would be beneficial for public health, while others claim they would harm the industry and drive users to the black market.
