Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Committee hears support and opposition for two-year pause on new cannabis dispensary locations
Summary
Senate Bill 27 would prohibit issuance of new dispensary location licenses until 2027. Proponents said the temporary freeze would stabilize markets and prevent proliferation seen in other states; opponents warned of reduced access for medical patients and harm to small businesses.
Senate Bill 27, introduced from the Economic Affairs Interim Committee, drew several proponents and at least one opponent at a House Business and Labor hearing. Sponsor Senator Ken Bogner said the bill would bar the Department of Revenue (by way of the Cannabis Control Division) from issuing new location licenses for dispensaries until 2027 and described the measure as "a bridge to the next thing" that gives lawmakers and communities time to assess market growth.
Proponents including Kate Halawa of the Montana Cannabis Industry Association, Pepper Peterson and several business owners said the two-year pause would let the market stabilize, reduce the risk of speculative or rapid expansion and give communities time to evaluate local impacts. Halawa…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
