Initiative No. 190 - A Law Proposed by Initiative Petition

Summary

I-190 legalizes the possession and use of limited amounts of marijuana for adults over the age of 21. I-190 requires the Department of Revenue to license and regulate the cultivation, transportation, and sale of marijuana and marijuana-infused products and to inspect premises where marijuana is cultivated and sold. It requires licensed laboratories to test marijuana and marijuana-infused products for potency and contaminants. I-190 establishes a 20% tax on non-medical marijuana. 10.5% of the tax revenue goes to the state general fund, with the rest dedicated to accounts for conservation programs, substance abuse treatment, veterans’ services, healthcare costs, and localities where marijuana is sold. I-190 allows a person currently serving a sentence for an act permitted by I-190 to apply for resentencing or an expungement of the conviction. I-190 prohibits advertising of marijuana and related products.

A ”YES” vote on I-190 is a vote in support of legalizing the possession and use of marijuana by adults, establishing a 20% tax on non-medical marijuana, and allowing persons currently serving a sentence for an act permitted by I-190 to apply for resentencing or an expungement of the conviction.

A “NO” vote on I-190 is a vote to oppose the legalization of marijuana in Montana.

Arguments

“This is a workforce development issue in our minds. If you look at what's happened in Colorado and other states, it is more difficult to recruit workers who can come in and get the job done, show up on time, and get a CDL license if they need that and then be productive members of the workforce when you have recreational marijuana at play.”, in opposition to Initiative No. 190 (Learn more)

"All you have to do is go to Colorado for a test site, they’ve been up and running now for eight years, and if you look at the traffic accidents, you look at the emergency room, you look at the vagrants, you look at the activity in the black market as well as the regular market down there, it has just exploded.”, in opposition to Initiative No. 190 (Learn more)

“Our research has always shown that a majority of Montanans support legalization, and now voters will have the opportunity to enact that policy, which will create jobs and generate new revenue for our state. It also means that law enforcement will stop wasting time and resources arresting adults for personal marijuana possession, and instead focus on real crime.”, in support of Initiative No. 190 (Learn more)

“We can generate tens of millions of dollars of new tax revenue, create thousands of new jobs, and provide a new source of commercial activity for Montana’s existing small businesses.”, in support of Initiative No. 190 (Learn more)

“COVID has done a number to the state’s projected tax revenue for 2020 and 2021, it’s been devastating. Adding nearly $50 million dollars a year to the state budget with legal adult use marijuana isn’t just a bonus. This projected revenue has already become vital to the future budget of this state, and veterans services like all other services need tax revenues to continue.", in support of Initiative No. 190 (Learn more)

Measure Details