BILLINGS — A Billings group opposed to the legalization of marijuana in Montana voiced its opposition Saturday to two ballot initiatives up for vote in November.
"Wrong For Montana" is against Initiative 190 which would legalize marijuana in the state.
Wind forced the group indoors at South 24th Street West and King Avenue West in Billings, after its demonstration in the Heights in the morning.
The group is also against Constitutional Initiative 118 that would set the minimum legal age for marijuana consumption at 21 years old.
The opponents say they're concerned about what has happened in other states that have passed similar laws. "In Denver or Seattle, when they legalized it, the use of Marijuana doubled in every single age bracket," said Steve Zabawa, the treasurer of the Wrong For Montana. "So if you think we've got drug issues today, illegal drug issues with our families and our communities and so forth with meth and heroine and so forth, it's going to double upon legalization of marijuana. That's exactly what's happened in the other cities."
The group "New Approach Montana" helped get the initiatives qualified for the ballot and says the proposals will help veterans improve public safety and strengthen the state's economy.
I-190 would require the Department of Revenue to license and regulate cultivation, transportation and sale of marijuana.
Verbatim text of the initiatives from the Secretary of State website:
- CONSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVE NO. 118 A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION: Under the Montana Constitution, a person 18 years of age or older is an adult, except that the legislature or the people by initiative may establish the legal age of purchasing, consuming, or possessing alcoholic beverages. CI-118 amends the Montana Constitution to allow the legislature or the people by initiative to establish the legal age for purchasing, consuming, or possessing marijuana.
- INITIATIVE NO. 190 A LAW PROPOSED BY INITIATIVE PETITION: I-190 legalizes the possession and use of limited amounts of marijuana for adults over the age of 21. I-190 requires the Department of Revenue to license and regulate the cultivation, transportation, and sale of marijuana and marijuana-infused products and to inspect premises where marijuana is cultivated and sold. It requires licensed laboratories to test marijuana and marijuana-infused products for potency and contaminants. I-190 establishes a 20% tax on nonmedical marijuana. 10.5% of the tax revenue goes to the state general fund, with the rest dedicated to accounts for conservation programs, substance abuse treatment, veterans’ services, healthcare costs, and localities where marijuana is sold. I-190 allows a person currently serving a sentence for an act permitted by I-190 to apply for resentencing or an expungement of the conviction. I-190 prohibits advertising of marijuana and related products. Marijuana taxes and fees will generate about $48 million annually by 2025. Marijuana fees will fund program administration and enforcement. Marijuana taxes will contribute to the general fund and special revenue accounts for conservation, veterans’ services, substance abuse treatment, healthcare, and local governments. The general fund will net $4 million.
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Key Dates and Deadlines
- Friday, October 2: Early voting begins at 7:00 a.m.
- Monday, October 26: Close of registration
- Tuesday, October 27: Late registration begins. This means that a person must come into the office in person. Prior to this, we will accept registration applications through the mail.
- All ballots must be received by 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 3.
- Currently Montana does not accept a post mark; ballots must be in the office by 8:00 pm on election day.
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