Billings’ voters will be asked to make a decision on the November ballot about whether they want to let vendors sell marijuana within the city of Billings, but given the other laws and regulations swirling about the commodity, a lot of people are confused about what voting “yea” or “nay” really means.
For those who believe that the question placed on the ballot by the Billings City Council is one last chance to keep marijuana illegal, you would be mistaken. Last year’s ballot initiative made the possession and recreational use of marijuana the law of the state, and the legislature did nothing that would really limit that in any way.
Voting against allowing the sale of marijuana in the city simply prohibits dispensers from establishing within city limits and selling the drug. Citizens may still possess the drug and use it within city limits.
City Administrator Chris Kukulski suggests everyone read the ballot language carefully so they know what their vote means. He emphasized that in no way does the issue impact the sale and use of medical marijuana. If voters reject the sale of marijuana for recreational purposes, medical marijuana may still be sold within the city.
The ballot question reads: “Shall dispensaries of adult use marijuana, commonly referred to as recreational-use marijuana, be permitted within the limits of the City of Billings?”
“Adult-use dispensary means a licensed premises from which a person licensed by the Montana Department of Revenue may sell marijuana or marijuana products to both registered cardholders and adults that are 21 years of age or older.”
CLICK HERE TO READ ENTIRE STORY
