Montana committee hears bill to freeze cannabis retail footprint for two years

Summary

Senate Bill 27 would freeze Montana’s licensed cannabis locations for two years, allowing new operators only by buying into existing licensed premises and delaying issuance of new dispensary locations until 06/30/2027; proponents say the pause manages growth, while members pressed on enforcement, fiscal assumptions and market effects.

Senate Business and Labor on Tuesday heard hours of testimony on Senate Bill 27, a measure from the Economic Affairs Interim Committee that would limit new adult‑use cannabis locations in Montana for two years.

Sen. Ken Bogner, sponsor, told the committee the bill "requires new licenses to be related to an existing licensed premise and prohibits the department's issuance of new location licenses for dispensaries until 2027," describing the change as intended to "allow for the orderly growth of the recreational marijuana industry in this state." The draft text moves the effective date to June 30, 2027.

Supporters from the industry urged the committee to approve a temporary "freeze the footprint." Kate Holewa of the Montana Cannabis Industry Association said the policy is not an extension of a prior ownership moratorium but "only for 2 years" and that the…

Montana committee hears bill to freeze cannabis retail footprint for two years

Summary

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