Trying to get ahead of an expected citizen-driven ballot initiative in 2020 to legalize recreational marijuana, a lawmaker is asking for the legislature to study the issue.
In 2004 voters passed an initiative to allow medical marijuana in the state. In 2011 the Legislature put restrictions on the program, which drastically reduced the number of medical marijuana cardholders. The 2017 legislature then enacted a tax on gross sales, as well as a seed-to-tracking system and limits on the number of plants and usable marijuana.
Sen. Diane Sands, a Democrat from Missoula, said the legislature was caught unprepared to respond to a voter-passed medical marijuana program and she doesn't want to see that happen if voters pass a referendum allowing recreational marijuana in 2020.
