Cannabis in Montana

[2] Cannabis was banned in Montana in 1929, following a Health Committee meeting which was described in the local paper as "great fun", during which representative Dr Fred Fulsher[3] of Mineral County justified the ban due to marijuana's effects on Mexicans: "When some beet field peon takes a few rares of this stuff... he thinks he has just been elected president of Mexico so he starts out to execute all his political enemies.

"[4] In 1985, the Kurth family of Fort Benton turned to growing cannabis to save their failing beef ranch.

[5] Following their prosecution on drug charges, the Kurths were informed that they also owed tax on their cannabis proceeds to the Montana Department of Revenue.

[6] Measure I 148, the Montana Medical Marijuana Act, was a ballot initiative approved by 62% of the popular vote in 2004: 276,042 to 170,579.

[10][11] As of mid-2015, there were three proposed ballot initiatives for the November 2016 elections in Montana: I-182 a proposal to loosen the rules on quantities and recipients for medical cannabis including adding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying condition;[citation needed] Glendive journalist Anthony Varriano's proposal to legalize recreational cannabis for adults 21 and over; and Anti Cannabis group Safe Montana's proposal to require Montana's drug policy to follow federal policy, which would put an end to the state's medical marijuana program.

[15] In May 2017 Governor Steve Bullock signed into law SB333,[16] which further regulates the medical cannabis industry by adding mandatory testing and seed to sale tracking.

Counties that voted no are allowed to hold a local referendum later, and if approved by a majority of voters, can start adult use sales.