Cannabis in Montana

Adult-use cannabis was legalized via voter action in 2020.
Medical cannabis was legalized by voter action in 2004.

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

Co-sponsored the SAFER Banking Act of 2023, which would ensure that all businesses – including State-sanctioned cannabis businesses – have access to deposit accounts, insurance and other financial services.
Co-Sponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
Tester said: “I’m not where many people in my party are. Are we set up to keep it out of the hands of young people? What’s the law going to be? Can anybody smoke it? There’s a lot of ifs and buts there.” (2022)
Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
Said he’s “not too crazy about full legalization” but “state’s rights do need to be respected in this situation and there’s plenty of argument out there that says that alcohol is far worse than marijuana and I will tell you that’s hard to debate.” (2018)
Voted in favor of allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2017)
Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2016)
Voted in favor of allowing banks to provide financial services to cannabis-related businesses that are operating legally under state laws. (2016)
Cosponsored the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2015, which would have ended the federal prohibition of industrial hemp. (2015)

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

Co-sponsored the SAFER Banking Act of 2023, which would ensure that all businesses – including State-sanctioned cannabis businesses – have access to deposit accounts, insurance and other financial services.
Co-Sponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
In a letter to a constituent, Daines said: Marijuana “…contains greater cancer-causing properties than tobacco, is addictive, is a precursor to the use of more dangerous drugs, and can lead users to harm innocent people.” (2021)
Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
Cosponsored the Hemp Farming Bill of 2018, which would end the federal prohibition of industrial hemp.
Voted in favor of allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2017)
Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2016)
Voted in favor of allowing banks to provide financial services to cannabis-related businesses that are operating legally under state laws. (2016)
Cosponsored the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2015, which would have ended the federal prohibition of industrial hemp. (2015)

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

When asked “Do you support removing cannabis from the federal government’s Schedule 1 controlled substance list?” Zinke replied: “Yes”. (2022)
While a Montana State Senator, supported SB 423, which replaced the voter-approved medical cannabis initiative with new requirements for cultivation, manufacture and possession of cannabis by those with certain medical conditions. (2011)

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
Told NBC Montana that marijuana legalization should be left to the people of Montana to decide. (2020)
Said: “Medical Marijuana should be handled like any other prescription drug . Prescribed by a doctor, manufactured in a state authorized and monitored facility, distributed by a pharmacy. If this can not be achieved, than its use shouldn’t be allowed.” (2012)
Indicated he supported decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana, allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana, and increasing restrictions on the production of medical marijuana. (2012)
Voted in favor of SB 423, which imposed tighter restrictions on Montana’s voter-approved medical marijuana law. (2011)
Voted against HB 389, which would have required warning labels on medical marijuana products and ID cards. (2011)
Voted in favor of HB 161, which would have repealed Montana voter-approved medical marijuana law. (2011)

Has Not Supported Adult Use Legalization In Their State

Replying to President Biden’s cannabis policy announcement in October 2022, a spokesperson for Gov. Greg Gianforte said: “The governor will continue to evaluate clemencies submitted through the Board of Pardons and Parole on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with statute. Governor Gianforte has long supported treatment in lieu of incarceration for non-violent drug offenders, making a historic investment in treatment and prevention programs for communities in his first year in office.” (2022)
Gianforte sai d: “We should know how… greater access to recreational marijuana will impact our communities, families, and users… To consider making any Schedule I drug legal and more readily available without adequate research is a misplaced priority as addiction continues to ravage our country… We need to continue to support those who face addiction and need the help the most, rather than making marijuana easier to access when we don’t know the full effects on our communities.” (2020)
Said: “I support THC for medicinal purposes when its prescribed by a doctor and administered by a pharmacist – I do not support recreational marijuana. I think it’s a gateway drug.” (2019)

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