HB 636: Generally revise marijuana laws - Montana

HB0636_X(3).pdf → HB0636_X(4).pdf · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the marijuana licensing statute to clarify that the new restrictions on edible THC serving sizes apply to all dispensaries, not just cultivators. It also explicitly allows adult-use dispensaries to operate at shared locations with medical dispensaries if owned by the same person and clarifies that product sales are regulated by THC concentration rather than weight.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the new edible THC limits to include all dispensary licensees and clarifies the eligibility for shared locations between adult-use and medical marijuana businesses.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the title and summary to reflect that the new edible THC serving size limits apply to all dispensaries, not just cultivators.

Clarified that marijuana products are regulated and sold based on THC concentration rather than by weight.

Added a specific provision allowing medical dispensaries to sell exclusively to registered cardholders while adult-use dispensaries sell to consumers or cardholders.

ELIGIBILITY

Explicitly permits an adult-use dispensary to operate at a shared location with a medical marijuana dispensary if both are owned by the same person.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from the current year to July 1, 2026.

HB0636_2(12).pdf → HB0636_X.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was finalized as an enrolled version, changing the title to explicitly include restrictions on edible marijuana products. The substantive policy changes focus on stricter packaging requirements for edibles, mandating white labels with specific information and prohibiting child-attractive shapes. Additionally, the licensing fee structure was updated to charge $5,000 for the first location with cumulative increases for additional locations under the same license.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on marijuana regulation, but the title now more clearly defines the intent to restrict edible product types and serving sizes.

REQUIREMENT

Packaging requirements for edible marijuana products were strengthened to mandate white labels and prohibit shapes or packages attractive to children.

FISCAL

Dispensary license fees were adjusted to $5,000 for the first location, with cumulative increases of $5,000 for each additional location under the same license.

TECHNICAL

The document status changed from a draft 'House Bill' to an 'Enrolled Bill', indicating final passage and preparation for signing.

HB0636_2(3).pdf → HB0636_2(4).pdf · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill amends marijuana regulations to strengthen child safety by restricting visibility of cultivation and mandating specific child-resistant packaging and labeling. It clarifies that dispensaries cannot sell hemp or alcohol on licensed premises and establishes a tiered licensing fee structure based on the number of locations a licensee operates. Additionally, it restricts shared locations to owners of both adult-use and medical dispensaries and requires local government approval in counties that voted against Initiative Measure No. 190.

Scope change

The bill expands regulatory oversight on packaging and labeling requirements and modifies eligibility criteria for shared dispensary locations and local government approvals.

REQUIREMENT

Cultivation and manufacturing activities must no longer be visible from public areas without optical aids, and all marijuana products must be sold in federally certified, child-resistant exit packaging.

Packaging labels are restricted to specific white labels containing only the business name, product name, THC/CBD content, health warnings, and ingredients, with no other design elements allowed.

Dispensaries are prohibited from selling hemp flower, hemp plants, synthetic cannabinoids, or alcohol from their licensed premises.

New requirements mandate electronic submission of packaging prototypes and physical prototypes upon request before products can be sold to consumers.

FISCAL

A new tiered licensing fee system is introduced, charging $5,000 for the first location and an additional $5,000 for each subsequent location under the same license.

ELIGIBILITY

Shared locations between adult-use and medical marijuana dispensaries are now only permitted if both are owned by the same person.

Dispensary licenses are restricted in counties where the majority of voters opposed Initiative Measure No. 190 in the November 2020 election.

HB0636_1(6).pdf → HB0636_2.pdf · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill text was reformatted to reorganize the legislative sections, moving the title and effective date information to the top and splitting the bill into two distinct parts. The substantive legal content regarding marijuana cultivation, packaging, and dispensary licensing fees remains unchanged.

TECHNICAL

The document structure was altered by reordering headers and splitting the text into HB0636.1 and HB0636.2, which appears to be a formatting or versioning adjustment rather than a change in law.

Line breaks and paragraph spacing were adjusted throughout the text, affecting readability but not the legal meaning of the provisions.

LC1966.pdf → HB0636_1.pdf · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was updated to reflect its official House Bill number (HB 636) and the full list of sponsors, replacing the previous draft version identifier. The substantive legal content regarding marijuana restrictions, packaging requirements, and licensing fees remains unchanged.

TECHNICAL

Updated the header to change the document title from a draft reference (LC 1966) to the official House Bill number (HB 636).

Replaced the placeholder sponsor line with the complete list of named sponsors (J. Etchart, L. Schubert, et al.).

Adjusted line breaks and spacing throughout the text to align with the final formatting of the bill.

Generally revise marijuana laws

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