Cannabis Status: Pending
Montana will offer a unique cannabis market opportunity, being one of the first states in its region to legalize adult-use cannabis. The state also boasts the fourth largest amount of land of any state, making cultivation opportunities nearly endless. In addition the state will be the first to set aside licenses for the eight sovereign Native American tribes located within the state, offering this historically disadvantaged group access to one of the largest growing industries in the country.
Name: Montana
Population: 1,069,000
Median Income: $54,970
Cannabis Uses: Cultivation, Retail, Manufacturing, Transportation, Testing
State Cannabis Overview: Currently closed for applications for at least another 2 years, except for existing medical operators and the eight recognized Native American tribes in the state. Licensing detials for adult use will be issued once general licensing opens up in July 2025, the state is still working on those regulations.
6/30/23 Update – From January 1, 2022, until July 1, 2025, only Montana medical marijuana licensees who were licensed on April 27, 2021 (or had an application pending with DPHHS on that date) may be issued a license for cultivation, manufacture, or sale of adult-use marijuana.
The Department of Revenue may issue a total of eight Combined-Used Licenses – one to each of the federally recognized Native American tribes located in Montana, or to a business entity that is majority-owned by a federally recognized tribe located in Montana. Combined Use Licenses consist one of tier one canopy license and one dispensary license that must be located at the same licensed premise. Combined Use licensees must operate in a “green county” and within 150 air miles of the exterior boundaries of the reservation, or, for the Little Shell Chippewa tribe, within 150 air miles of the tribal services area. For more information on Combined Use Licenses, see 16-12-225, MCA and ARM 42.39.415.
