Montana’s marijuana market remains steady, with over $26 million in total sales in November.
The Montana Department of Revenue released data today showing that there was $23,124,107 in recreational marijuana sold in November, in addition to $3,584,808 in medical marijuana sales, combining for $26,708,916 in total sales. Sales include dried marijuana as well as a variety of marijuana products such as edibles, concentrates, prerolls, and topicals.
The year-to-date total for 2024 is now around $310 million, bringing the all-time total to $920,309,950.
October marks the 21th consecutive month that marijuana sales have surpassed $25 million.
Montana legalized recreational marijuana in 2021, with licensed retail outlets beginning operations in January 2022. State laws allow individuals aged 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana. Recreational purchases are taxed at 20%, while medical purchases are taxed at 4%.
Marijuana tax revenue in the state is allocated to various programs and initiatives. A total of $6 million is directed to the Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment (HEART) account. Additionally, 20% is designated for the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to fund wildlife habitat exclusively. Smaller allocations include 4% each to the state park account, the trails and recreational facilities account, and the nongame wildlife account. The veterans and surviving spouses state special revenue account receives 3%, or $200,000, whichever is less.
Other specific allocations include $150,000 to the Board of Crime Control to fund crisis intervention team training for the biennium starting July 1, 2021, and $300,000 to the Department of Justice for administering grant funding to local and state law enforcement agencies for purchasing and training drug detection canines and their handlers. This includes replacing marijuana-trained canines owned by local agencies. The remaining revenue is deposited into the general fund.
