Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana HB688: Generally revise marijuana laws
Status: Failed, May 22, 2025
What the bill says
A bill for an act entitled: "an act generally revising laws related to local government and marijuana dispensaries; requiring certain language on a ballot form regarding prohibition of certain marijuana businesses; and amending section 16-12-301, mca.".
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING LAWS RELATED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES; REQUIRING CERTAIN LANGUAGE ON A BALLOT FORM REGARDING PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN MARIJUANA BUSINESSES; AND AMENDING SECTION 16-12-301, MCA." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: Section 1. Section 16-12-301, MCA, is amended to read: "16-12-301. Local government authority to regulate -- opt-in requirement in certain counties -- exemption for existing licensees. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (1)(b), a marijuana business may not operate in a county in which the majority of voters voted against approval of Initiative Measure No. 190 in the November 3, 2020, general election until: (i) the category or categories of license that the marijuana business seeks has or have been approved by the local jurisdiction where the marijuana business intends to operate as provided in subsection (3) or (4); and (ii) the business is licensed by the department pursuant to this chapter. (b) A former medical marijuana licensee that does not apply for licensure as an adult-use dispensary may operate in its existing premises in compliance with rules adopted by the department pursuant to 16-12-201(2) notwithstanding a local jurisdiction's failure to take action pursuant to subsections (3) through (6). (c) A former medical marijuana licensee that intends to apply for licensure as …
Sponsors
- Mercer, Bill (R, 52) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : (S) Died in Committee
- : (S) Tabled in Committee
- : (S) Hearing
- : (S) Referred to Committee
- : (S) 1st Reading
- : (H) Transmitted to Senate
- : (H) 3rd Reading
- : (H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (H) 2nd Reading
- : (H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
Votes
- Do Pass (March 7, 2025): 57 yea, 42 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 6, 2025): 58 yea, 41 nay, passed
Subjects: Ballot Issues, Alcohol, Local Government
Common questions
- What is HB688?
- HB688 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Generally revise marijuana laws.
- What does HB688 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act entitled: "an act generally revising laws related to local government and marijuana dispensaries; requiring certain language on a ballot form regarding prohibition of certain marijuana businesses; and amending section 16-12-301, mca.".
- What is the status of HB688?
- Failed as of May 22, 2025. Latest action: (S) Died in Committee (May 22, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB688?
- Mercer, Bill (R, 52).
- Where is the official record for HB688?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3457
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.