Bill > HB298

This bill revises local election laws regarding marijuana businesses by modifying the conditions under which municipalities can hold elections to approve or disapprove marijuana-related businesses. Specifically, the bill now limits municipal elections on marijuana business approval to municipalities with a population of more than 5,000 people, as determined by the most recent federal census. The legislation maintains existing provisions that allow counties and certain municipalities to hold elections on whether to permit different categories of marijuana businesses, such as cultivators, manufacturers, dispensaries, and testing laboratories. The bill provides that if a majority of voters in a county or municipality approve a specific category of marijuana business, that type of business may be allowed to operate in that jurisdiction. Importantly, the bill also allows jurisdictions that have previously approved marijuana businesses to later vote to prohibit such operations, with a 90-day transition period after the local election. The changes aim to provide more structured and population-based guidance for local governments in regulating marijuana businesses, building upon the framework established by the 2020 Initiative Measure No. 190. The bill is effective immediately upon passage and applies retroactively to elections held on or after its effective date.

Government Affairs

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1275