2020 Montana Initiative 190

Last updated

Initiative 190
Montana Marijuana Legalization and Tax Initiative
Results
Choice
Votes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svgYes341,03756.90%
Light brown x.svgNo258,33743.10%
Valid votes599,37497.92%
Invalid or blank votes12,7012.08%
Total votes612,075100.00%
Registered voters/turnout752,53881.33%

2020 Montana Initiative 190 results map by county.svg
Results by county
Source: Montana Secretary of State

    Montana I-190, the Montana Marijuana Legalization and Tax Initiative was a cannabis legalization initiative that appeared on the November 3, 2020 Montana general election ballot. Passing with 57% approval, the initiative legalized recreational marijuana in the state effective January 1, 2021. Along with Arizona, New Jersey and South Dakota, Montana was one of four states that legalized cannabis via ballot measures in the November 2020 election.

    Contents

    The sponsor of the initiative was New Approach Montana, in partnership with the Marijuana Policy Project. [1]

    History

    Initiative I-190 (legislation) and matching constitutional amendment initiative were submitted by New Approach Montana to the Montana Secretary of State in January, [2] [3] and approved for signature gathering as of May 1, 2020. [4] Following a lawsuit and a declaration from the Montana Supreme Court, the Montana Secretary of State determined that mail-in voter signatures would be allowed for all initiatives without requiring notary seal, [5] [1] and starting May 9, the sponsors made a downloadable mail-in form available. [6] On June 19, groups collecting voter signatures for the legalization initiative said they had submitted almost twice the minimum to the Secretary of State by the deadline. [7] The sponsors announced in July that they had reached the threshold for ballot inclusion, based on county-level voter certification. [8]

    On August 13, the Montana Secretary of State announced it had qualified for the November ballot. [9]

    The initiative was approved by voters on November 3, 2020. [10]

    Polling

    On Initiative 190

    Poll sourceDate(s)
    administered
    Sample
    size [a]
    Margin
    of error
    For Initiative 190Against Initiative 190OtherUndecided
    Montana State University Billings [11] October 19–24, 2020546 (LV)± 4.2%54%38%7%
    Montana State University Bozeman [12] September 14 – October 2, 20201,607 (LV)± 3.9%49%39%2% [b] 10%

    On whether recreational marijuana should be legal

    Poll sourceDate(s)
    administered
    Sample
    size [a]
    Margin
    of error
    YesNoUndecided
    University of Montana [13] February 12–22, 2020498 (LV)± 4.39%54%37%9%
    University of Montana [14] February 21 – March 1, 2019293 (RV)± 5.7%51%37%12%

    Results

    ChoiceVotes%
    For341,03756.90
    Against258,33743.10
    Blank votes12,701-
    Total612,075100
    Registered voters/turnout752,53881.33
    Source: Montana Secretary of State

    Notes

    1. 1 2 Key:
      A – all adults
      RV – registered voters
      LV – likely voters
      V – unclear
    2. Would not vote with 2%

    See also

    Related Research Articles

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Oregon Ballot Measure 80</span> Cannabis-related referendum

    Oregon Ballot Measure 80, also known as the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act, OCTA and Initiative-9, was an initiated state statute ballot measure on the November 6, 2012 general election ballot in Oregon. It would have allowed personal marijuana and hemp cultivation or use without a license and created a commission to regulate the sale of commercial marijuana. The act would also have set aside two percent of profits from cannabis sales to promote industrial hemp, biodiesel, fiber, protein, and oil.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Wyoming</span>

    Cannabis is strictly illegal in Wyoming. The state has some of the strictest cannabis laws in the United States. Cannabis itself is not allowed for medical purposes, but a 2015 law allows limited use of non-psychoactive Cannabidiol. An effort was made to place two initiatives on the 2022 ballot, one to legalize medical cannabis, and the other to decriminalize personal use.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in South Dakota</span>

    Cannabis in South Dakota is legal for medical use as of July 1, 2021, having been legalized by a ballot initiative on November 3, 2020. Prior to then, cannabis was fully illegal, with South Dakota being the only U.S. state which outlawed ingestion of controlled substances. Testing positive for cannabis can be a misdemeanor offense. South Dakota would have become the first state in US history to legalize recreational and medical cannabis simultaneously, but an amendment legalizing recreational marijuana that was approved in the same election was struck down as unconstitutional the following February. The challenge claimed the amendment violated Amendment Z, the "Single-Subject Rule". The decision was appealed to the South Dakota Supreme Court, which upheld the lower court's decision on November 24, 2021.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Montana</span>

    Cannabis in Montana has been legal for both medical and recreational use since January 1, 2021, when Initiative 190 went into effect. Prior to the November 2020 initiative, marijuana was illegal for recreational use starting in 1929. Medical cannabis was legalized by ballot initiative in 2004. The Montana Legislature passed a repeal to tighten Montana Medical Marijuana (MMJ) laws which were never approved by the governor. However, with the new provisions, providers could not service more than three patients. In November 2016 Bill I-182 was passed, revising the 2004 law and allowing providers to service more than three patients. In May 2023, numerous further bills on cannabis legalization and other related purposes passed the Montana Legislature. The Governor of Montana is yet to either sign or veto the bill.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Arkansas</span>

    Cannabis in Arkansas is illegal for recreational use. First-time possession of up to four ounces (110 g) is punished with a fine of up to $2,500, imprisonment of up to a year, and a mandatory six month driver's license suspension. Medical use was legalized in 2016 by way of a ballot measure to amend the state constitution.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in North Dakota</span>

    Cannabis in North Dakota is legal for medical use but illegal for recreational use. Since 2019 however, possession under a 1/2 ounce has been decriminalized in the sense that there is no threat of jail time, though a criminal infraction fine up to $1,000 still applies. The cultivation of hemp is currently legal in North Dakota. In November 2018, the state's voters voted on recreational marijuana legalization, along with Michigan; the measure was rejected 59% to 41%. Two groups attempted to put marijuana legalization measures on the June 2020 Primary and the November 2020 elections, but were prevented from doing so by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 California Proposition 64</span> Referendum on recreational cannabis

    The Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) was a 2016 voter initiative to legalize cannabis in California. The full name is the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act. The initiative passed with 57% voter approval and became law on November 9, 2016, leading to recreational cannabis sales in California by January 2018.

    The Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act (AMCA) is a ballot measure that initially qualified for the ballot in Arkansas but was disqualified by the Arkansas Supreme Court 12 days before the November 8, 2016 election. A separate measure to legalize medical cannabis, the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment, also qualified for the 2016 ballot and was approved by voters.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Arizona</span>

    Cannabis in Arizona is legal for recreational use. A 2020 initiative to legalize recreational use passed with 60% of the vote. Possession and cultivation of recreational cannabis became legal on November 30, 2020, with the first state-licensed sales occurring on January 22, 2021.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Ohio</span>

    Cannabis in Ohio is legal for recreational use. Issue 2, a ballot measure to legalize recreational use, passed by a 57–43 margin on November 7, 2023. Possession and personal cultivation of cannabis became legal on December 7, 2023. The first licensed sales started on August 6, 2024. Prior to legalization, Ohio decriminalized possession of up 100 grams in 1975, with several of the state's major cities later enacting further reforms.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Michigan</span>

    Cannabis in Michigan is legal for recreational use. A 2018 initiative to legalize recreational use passed with 56% of the vote. State-licensed sales of recreational cannabis began in December 2019.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Michigan Proposal 1</span>

    The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, also known as Proposal 1, was an initiative that appeared on the November 2018 ballot to legalize cannabis in the U.S. state of Michigan. The initiative allows adults 21 and older to possess up to 2.5 ounces (71 g) of cannabis and to grow up to 12 plants at home. The initiative was approved with 56% of the vote.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Montana elections</span>

    A general election in the state of Montana was held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, with the primary elections being held on June 2, 2020. Voters will elect one member to United States House of Representatives and all five state constitutional offices, among other elected offices.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 South Dakota Measure 26</span> Ballot measure legalizing medical marijuana

    South Dakota Initiated Measure 26 was a 2020 voter initiative to legalize medical cannabis in the U.S. state of South Dakota. The initiative was certified by the South Dakota Secretary of State for the 2020 ballot on December 19, 2019. The sponsor of the initiative was New Approach South Dakota, a volunteer group headed by Melissa Mentele. The group had unsuccessfully tried to get an initiative on the 2018 ballot. Polling in September 2020 indicated 70% voter support for the initiative.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Arizona Proposition 207</span>

    Arizona Proposition 207 was a voter initiative that appeared on the November 3, 2020, Arizona general election ballot to legalize cannabis for recreational use. Passing with 60% of the vote, the initiative legalized the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis, licensed sales at dispensaries, and personal cultivation of up to six plants. Along with Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota, Arizona is one of four states that legalized recreational marijuana via ballot measures in 2020.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 South Dakota elections</span>

    South Dakota state elections in 2020 were held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Its primary elections were held on June 2, 2020.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 South Dakota Amendment A</span>

    South Dakota Constitutional Amendment A, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative, was a cannabis legalization initiative that appeared on the November 3, 2020 South Dakota general election ballot. Passing with 54% of the vote, the measure would have legalized recreational marijuana in South Dakota effective July 1, 2021. Additionally, Amendment A required the South Dakota State Legislature to establish a medical marijuana program and legal hemp sales by April 1, 2022.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Ohio Issue 2</span>

    The Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol initiative, listed on the ballot as Issue 2, is a ballot initiative for legalization of cannabis in the U.S. state of Ohio that was passed by voters on November 7, 2023.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Missouri marijuana legalization initiative</span>

    2022 Missouri Constitutional Amendment 3, also known as the Marijuana Legalization Initiative, was a ballot measure to amend the Constitution of Missouri to legalize cannabis at the state level in Missouri. The measure was on the November 7, 2022, general ballot and was approved by voters with a margin of 53–47 percent.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Oklahoma State Question 820</span>

    Oklahoma State Question 820 was a voter initiative to legalize adult purchasing, possession and consumption of cannabis in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It would have placed Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority in charge of business regulation. It appeared on the March 7, 2023 in a special election to consider this single State Question. Governor Kevin Stitt, who opposed the measure, set the special election in a successful attempt to limit voter turnout.

    References

    1. 1 2 Montana I-190, Marijuana Legalization and Tax Initiative (2020), Ballotpedia, accessed June 3, 2020
    2. Seaborn Larson (January 15, 2020). "Cannabis campaign submits legalization drafts for 2020 ballot". Missoulian . Missoula, Montana.
    3. "Campaign to legalize marijuana in Montana offers ballot initiatives". Associated Press. January 14, 2020 via Boston Globe.
    4. PROPOSED 2020 BALLOT ISSUES, Montana Secretary of State, accessed June 3, 2020
    5. Hunter Pauli (May 8, 2020). "Montana OKs mail-in ballot initiative signatures". Montana Free Press.
    6. Melissa Schiller (May 11, 2020), Montana's Cannabis Legalization Campaign Launches Signature Drive Despite COVID-19 Setbacks: Legalization Watch, Cannabis Business Times, After losing a court battle to collect signatures electronically, New Approach Montana kicked off a statewide signature drive to get two complementary adult-use cannabis legalization measures on the state's 2020 ballot.
    7. Jonathon Ambarian (June 19, 2020). "Initiative signature deadline arrives; marijuana legalization advocates report 130K for two measures". Helena: KTVH-DT.
    8. Seaborn Larson (July 17, 2020). "Marijuana group 'certain' legalization will be on Montana general election ballot". Missoulian.
    9. "Marijuana Legalization Measure to Appear on November Ballot". Associated Press. August 13, 2020 via U.S. News & World Report.
    10. Melissa Loveridge (November 4, 2020). "Recreational marijuana initiatives pass in Montana". Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
    11. Montana State University Billings
    12. Montana State University Bozeman Archived 2020-10-19 at the Wayback Machine
    13. University of Montana
    14. University of Montana