Montana Marijuana License

Montana voters legalized adult-use cannabis in 2020 (I-190), and adult-use sales began in January 2022. The Cannabis Control Division (CCD) of the Department of Revenue regulates both markets.

A moratorium on new dispensary, manufacturer and cultivator licenses has been in place since 2022, and Senate Bill 27 extended it to July 1, 2027. Testing laboratories, transporters and combined-use licenses are exempt. Until then, most new operators buy an existing licensed business.

• Dispensary
• Cultivator (micro and Tiers 1–12 by canopy)
• Manufacturer (Tiers 1–3)
• Testing laboratory
• Transporter and combined-use licenses

• New dispensary, cultivator and manufacturer licenses paused until July 1, 2027
• Counties must vote to allow adult-use businesses (green counties)
• Background checks and ownership disclosure
• Seed-to-sale tracking

• Dispensary: $5,000 per premises
• Testing lab: $5,000 per premises
• Manufacturer: $5,000–$20,000 by tier
• Cultivator: $1,000 (micro) to $37,000 (Tier 12)
• Processing fee: an extra 20% of the license fee at application and renewal

1. Check whether your license type is exempt from the moratorium (testing labs and transporters are).
2. Confirm your county allows adult-use businesses.
3. Apply to the CCD with the license and processing fees.
4. Pass background checks and inspection.

• Adults 21+ may possess up to 1 ounce and grow up to 2 mature plants (4 per household)
• Counties that voted against I-190 don't allow adult-use businesses
• Seed-to-sale tracking and testing required

• Montana resident with a debilitating condition, such as cancer, chronic pain, PTSD, seizures and others
• Written certification from a provider

1. Get a written certification from a provider.
2. Register with the CCD medical program.
3. Buy at a licensed dispensary.