Montana’s Recreational Cannabis Consumers Spent $1.5 Million in the Opening Weekend of Sales
On New Year’s Day, 29 counties in Montana saw their first recreational cannabis sales. While 27 counties opted to continue to ban adult-use cannabis (an option built into the regulatory framework of the legislation that passed recreational mariuana), the state still saw $1,566,980 in sales from adult-use cannabis alone. With the 20% statewide sales tax, this amounts to $313,396 in tax revenue. That revenue is allocated to go to various funds for the state, including the general fund, the board of crime control, and the Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment (HEART) Fund, among others.
Republican-led Bill to Legalize Medical Cannabis Introduced in Kentucky
A new piece of legislation, introduced by Representative Jason Nemes (R), would legalize medical cannabis for patients in Kentucky. The bill is an updated version of past legislation that Nemes has introduced, with some changes made that are aimed at winning support among more conservative lawmakers. The bill, HB 136, would create a fairly restrictive medical cannabis program. It would prohibit home-growing and the smoking of cannabis flower. If the bill is passed, the program would open in early 2023.
Justin Strekal, Federal Lobbyist for NORML, Departs after Five Years
Justin Strekal, the federal lobbyist for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), has left his position with the organization after five years of advocating for change on Capitol Hill. Despite the fact that cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, a great deal of progress has been made since Strekal first began his career with NORML. Morgan Fox, who is widely known for his experience with the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) and the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), will be replacing Strekal.
