Montana Medical Marijuana Initiative, I-182 (2016)
Montana I-182 | |
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Election date November 8, 2016 | |
Topic Marijuana | |
Status![]() | |
Type State statute | Origin Citizens |
2016 measures |
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November 8 |
CI-116 ![]() |
I-177 ![]() |
I-181 ![]() |
I-182 ![]() |
Polls |
Voter guides |
Campaign finance |
Signature costs |
The Montana Medical Marijuana Initiative, also known as I-182, was on the November 8, 2016, ballot in Montana as an initiated state statute.[1] It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported repealing the three-patient limit for medical marijuana providers. |
A "no" vote opposed this measure repealing the three-patient limit for medical marijuana providers. |
Sections of the measure related to the intent and purpose of the act, definitions included in the act's language, the responsibilities and rule-making authority of the department of health, and requirements for the written certification of a patient's need for medical marijuana went into effect upon the approval of I-182. The remaining provisions of the act were written to go into effect on June 30, 2017.[1] However, proponents said the provision repealing the three-patient limit was intended to become effective upon approval, not June 30, 2017. The June 30 enactment deadline was an error, according to sponsors. A judge ruled in favor of proponents on December 7, 2016, and the three patient-limit repeal occurred effective immediately.[2]
This election was one of Ballotpedia's top 10 state-level races in 2016. Click here to read the full list.
Aftermath
Lawsuit
Due to a clerical error in the initiative text, the measure was not going to repeal the three-patient limit for medical marijuana providers until June 30, 2017. Sponsors of the initiative intended the three-patient limit to be repealed upon the measure's approval. Jim Goetz, an attorney for the Montana Cannabis Industry Association, filed litigation in the Broadwater County District Court on November 22, 2016, asking the court to remove the three-patient limit immediately as intended by sponsors.[3]
On December 7, 2016, Judge James P. Reynolds of the Montana 1st Judicial District Court resolved the error, thus terminating the three-patient limit effective immediately.[4] Judge Reynolds stated, "The folks that are maybe the most in need are the least able to provide, to grow their own. I think speed is more important than niceties." He determined that the date of June 30, 2017, was an error.[2]
Legislation
Sen. Fred Thomas (R-44) introduced Senate Bill 131, which fixed the error in Initiative 182 and repealed the three-patient limit. Sen. Thomas said Judge Reynolds' ruling violated the separation of powers found in the Montana Constitution. He said, "The district judge seemed to exceed their authority granted in the (state) Constitution. It had the direct effect of re-writing legislation."[5] The bill passed the House 65 to 34 on February 16, 2017. The bill passed the Senate 29 to 21 on February 22, 2017. The measure became law on March 20, 2017, without the governor's signature.[6]
Election results
I-182 | ||||
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Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
![]() | 291,334 | 57.87% | ||
No | 212,089 | 42.13% |
- Election results from Montana Secretary of State
Overview
Status of medical marijuana in Montana
Voters legalized medical marijuana in Montana in 2004. In 2011, the Montana Legislature amended the initiative via Senate Bill 423, which banning medical marijuana advertisements, limiting dispensaries to having three users, and requiring state review of doctors who prescribe marijuana to more than 25 patients per year.[7] In 2012, advocates of medical marijuana attempted to repeal the bill, but were unsuccessful at the ballot box. After being tied up in the courts for five years, the legislature's bill went into effect on August 31, 2016.[8] The number of medical marijuana patients and providers fell following SB 423's passage and implementation.[9][10]
Initiative design
Initiative 182 was designed to amend Senate Bill 423 and rename the Montana Marijuana Act as the Montana Medical Marijuana Act. The measure repealed SB 423's requirements that medical marijuana providers have no more than three patients and the state review physicians who prescribe marijuana to more than 25 patients per year. The measure allowed physicians to prescribe marijuana for patients diagnosed with chronic pain or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Initiative 172 also repealed law enforcement's power to conduct unannounced inspections of medical marijuana facilities. It required annual inspections of facilities by the state. Medical marijuana providers were permitted to hire "employees to cultivate, dispense, and transport medical marijuana."[1]
Text of measure
Ballot text
The proposed text of the ballot was as follows:[1]
“ | I-182 renames the Montana Marijuana Act to the Montana Medical Marijuana Act and amends the Act. I-182 allows a single treating physician to certify medical marijuana for a patient diagnosed with chronic pain and includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a “debilitating medical condition” for which a physician may certify medical marijuana. Licensing requirements, fees and prohibitions are detailed for medical marijuana dispensaries and testing laboratories. I-182 repeals the limit of three patients for each licensed provider, and allows providers to hire employees to cultivate, dispense, and transport medical marijuana. I-182 repeals the requirement that physicians who provide certifications for 25 or more patients annually be referred to the board of medical examiners. I-182 removes the authority of law enforcement to conduct unannounced inspections of medical marijuana facilities, and requires annual inspections by the State.
[ ] YES on Initiative I-182 |
” |
Full text
The full text of the measure can be found here.
Support
Montana Citizens for I-182 led the campaign in support of Initiative 182.[12]
Supporters
Officials
- Sen. Dick Barrett (D-45)[13]
- Sen. Mary McNally (D-24)
- Sen. Nels Swandal (R-30)
- Sen. Cynthia Wolken (D-48)
- Rep. Bryce Bennett (D-91)
- Rep. Mary Caferro (D-41)
- Rep. Ellie Hill (D-90)
- Rep. Ed Lieser (D-4)
- Rep. Sue Malek (D-46)
- Rep. Jon Sesso (D-37)
- Rep. Tom Woods (D-62)
- Commissioner Jeff Krauss, Bozeman[14]
Former officials
- Sen. Lynda Bourque Moss (D-26)[13]
- Sen. Larry Jent (D-32), Democratic candidate for Attorney General in 2016[15]
- Sen. Carol Williams (D-46)
- Rep. Pat Noonan (D-74)
- Rep. Franke Wilmer (D-63)
Organizations
Arguments
Montana Citizens for I-182 argued that Initiative 182 would be a "responsible, accountable law allowing access to medical marijuana to those with debilitating illnesses." The group also contended:[17]
“ | A considerable amount of hard science exists on marijuana’s palliative and curative impacts on a number of debilitating diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer’s, chronic pain, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder and Parkinson’s disease.
Often times, medical marijuana may be the only viable option for treatment or the medication most effective for the patient. Medical marijuana is also less addictive and considerably safer than the opiate painkillers used to treat patients with cancer or chronic pain. Montanans suffering from debilitating illnesses need safe, legal access to medical marijuana. A law that allows for a responsible and accountable medical marijuana program will be following the will of voters, giving access to those who legitimately need the drug. Should Montanans pass I-182, the state would be joining twenty-three other states and the District of Columbia, who have all legalized medical marijuana.[11] |
” |
Jeff Krauss, commissioner and former mayor of Bozeman, argued:[14]
“ | Someday you or someone you love may need safe, legal access to medical marijuana. You, or they, may have cancer, epilepsy, IBS, colitis, or Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s, breast cancer, a recent heart attack, or may be a veteran or emergency worker with PTSD. ... In 2004, 64 percent of Montana voters passed a law creating a medical marijuana program. But access for patients seeking relief will soon disappear because of political nonsense in the 2011 Legislature. With these draconian, nonsensical laws, you and your loved ones aren’t going to get what you need for pain, symptom relief, or a cure.[11] | ” |
Other arguments in support of the measure included:
- Larry Jent, Democratic candidate for Attorney General in 2016, said, "I do not agree with the legalization of drugs, but I do agree that the legalization of medical marijuana in certain cases is very beneficial to patients suffering from chronic conditions."[15]
Official arguments
Bob Ream, Jeff Kraus, and Katie Mazurek prepared the following arguments in favor of Initiative 182 for the secretary of state's voter information pamphlet:[18]
|
Opposition
Safe Montana led the campaign in opposition to Initiative 182.[19] The campaign was focusing on qualifying Initiative 176, a measure that would have classified drugs unlawful under federal regulations as illegal under state law, for the ballot. When supporters of Initiative 176 failed to secure a place on the ballot, Safe Montana turned to defeating Initiative 182. Steve Zabawa, leader of Safe Montana, stated, "We'll spend all our efforts now making sure people know what I-182 is all about."[20]
Opponents
- Sen. Cary Smith (R-27)[18]
- Rep. Seth Berglee (R-58)
- Rep. Tom Berry (R-40)
Arguments
Stephen Zabawa, founder of Safe Montana, argued:[21]
“ | A state ballot initiative should NOT be the process to approve medicine. The general public is not qualified to make medical decisions. The practice of medicine is evidence-based, and the legalization of a drug with the potential for abuse by the general population that has no qualification to determine composition, quality and dose is a bad way to practice medicine. It guarantees the failure of a program that may have potential success for patients who need medical marijuana under a doctor’s care and it ensures the accessibility of recreational marijuana to the rest of the population.
Montana should NOT pass I-182 because the marijuana provided to patients who have debilitating diseases should not be getting treatment without a doctor’s care by marijuana that is not reviewed for its safety and efficacy, where there is not standardization and formulation for dosing, and there is no regulated, closed system of distribution for marijuana which is a drug with abuse potential.[11] |
” |
Official arguments
Sen. Cary Smith (R-27), Rep. Seth Berglee (R-58), Rep. Tom Berry (R-40), and Cherrie Brady prepared the following arguments in opposition to Initiative 182 for the secretary of state's voter information pamphlet:[18]
|
Campaign finance
Montana Citizens for I-182 registered to support the measure and raised $349,369.07.[22]
SAFE Montana Against I-182 registered to oppose the measure and raised $181,100.00.[22]
Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Support | $70,368.00 | $279,001.07 | $349,369.07 | $66,546.31 | $345,547.38 |
Oppose | $163,384.67 | $17,715.33 | $181,100.00 | $76,246.92 | $93,962.25 |
Total | $233,752.67 | $296,716.40 | $530,469.07 | $142,793.23 | $439,509.63 |
Support
The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committee(s) supporting the measure.[23]
Committees in support of I-182 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Committee | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures |
Montana Citizens for I-182 | $70,368.00 | $279,001.07 | $349,369.07 | $66,546.31 | $345,547.38 |
Total | $70,368.00 | $279,001.07 | $349,369.07 | $66,546.31 | $345,547.38 |
Donors
The following were the top donors to the support committee(s).[23]
Donor | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions |
---|---|---|---|
Montana Cannabis Industry Association, Inc. | $24,000.00 | $276,519.97 | $300,519.97 |
Drug Policy Action | $10,000.00 | $0.00 | $10,000.00 |
Wanda Kuhl | $9,000.00 | $0.00 | $9,000.00 |
Lionheart International LLC | $8,000.00 | $0.00 | $8,000.00 |
Opposition
The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committee(s) in opposition to the measure.[24]
Committees in opposition to I-182 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Committee | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures |
Safe Montana | $163,384.67 | $17,715.33 | $181,100.00 | $76,246.92 | $93,962.25 |
Total | $163,384.67 | $17,715.33 | $181,100.00 | $76,246.92 | $93,962.25 |
Donors
The top donors to the opposition committee(s) were as follows:[24]
Donor | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions |
---|---|---|---|
Stephen Zabawa | $12,570.33 | $146,024.67 | $158,595.00 |
Gallus Law Firm | $13,850.00 | $0.00 | $13,850.00 |
Browning Kaleczyc Berry & Hoven | $9,655.00 | $0.00 | $9,655.00 |
Taylor Luther Group | $6,688.00 | $0.00 | $6,688.00 |
Methodology
To read Ballotpedia's methodology for covering ballot measure campaign finance information, click here.
Media editorials
Support
- Billings Gazette said: "We aren’t encouraging anyone to use marijuana, but compassion prompts us to say that, for some seriously ill people, marijuana may be a better alternative than prescription painkillers. If their doctor advises that marijuana may ease pain, seizures or nausea, we don’t want to deny that option to Montanans suffering with cancer and other debilitating illnesses."[25]
- Great Falls Tribune said: "We think SB 423 went too far, which is why I-182 or something like it became necessary. ... I-182 removes the difficult-to-justify three-patient limit that has created hardships for some medical marijuana patients across the state. We recommend voters cast a “yes” vote for the medical marijuana initiative, I-182."[26]
Opposition
Ballotpedia has not yet found any editorial board endorsements in opposition to Initiative 182. If you know of one, please email editor@ballotpedia.org.
Polls
- See also: 2016 ballot measure polls
Mason-Dixon Polling and Research surveyed 1,003 registered voters on Initiative 182. Support for the measure was 44 percent. A majority of Democrats and plurality of independents backed Initiative 182. Over 70 percent of Republicans opposed the initiative. The question that Mason-Dixon Polling asked respondents was:[27]
“ | Ballot Initiative I-182 would allow for wide use of medical marijuana. If you were voting today, would you vote 'Yes' to approve the initiative, or 'No' to reject the initiative?[11] | ” |
Some individuals criticized the question that Mason-Dixon Polling asked. Paul Harstad of Harstad Strategic Research, which conducted a poll for the support campaign, said the question's wording was "biased and dramatically oversimplified, and there’s no resemblance to the ballot summary that will be available to all voters."[27]
Harstad Strategic Research conducted a poll of 805 likely voters between September 20 and September 25, 2016. The question that Harstad Strategic Research asked was:[28]
“ | It amends the Montana Medical Marijuana Act. It allows a treating physician to certify medical marijuana for a patient diagnosed with chronic pain or P.T.S.D. as a “debilitating medical condition.” Licensing requirements, fees and prohibitions are detailed for medical marijuana dispensaries and labs.
It repeals the limit of three patients per licensed provider, and allows hiring employees to cultivate and dispense medical marijuana. It repeals the requirement that physicians who certify 25 or more patients be referred to the board of medical examiners. And it removes the authority of law enforcement to conduct unannounced inspections of medical marijuana facilities – and requires State annual inspections. Now, if the election were held today on this ballot initiative, would you vote yes or no?[11] |
” |
Montana Initiative 182 (2016) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Poll | Support | Oppose | Undecided | Sample size | |||||||||||||||
Harstad Strategic Research 9/20/16 - 9/25/16 | 59.0% | 32.0% | 9.0% | 805 | |||||||||||||||
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. |
Mason-Dixon Polling and Research surveyed 1,003 registered voters on Initiative 182. Support for the measure was 44 percent. A majority of Democrats and plurality of independents backed Initiative 182. Over 70 percent of Republicans opposed the initiative. The question that Mason-Dixon Polling asked respondents was:[27]
“ | Ballot Initiative I-182 would allow for wide use of medical marijuana. If you were voting today, would you vote 'Yes' to approve the initiative, or 'No' to reject the initiative?[11] | ” |
Some individuals criticized the question that Mason-Dixon Polling asked. Paul Harstad of Harstad Strategic Research, which conducted a poll for the support campaign, said the question's wording was "biased and dramatically oversimplified, and there’s no resemblance to the ballot summary that will be available to all voters."[27]
Montana Initiative 182 (2016) | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poll | Support | Oppose | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
Mason-Dixon Polling and Research 10/10/16 - 10/12/16 | 44.0% | 51.0% | 5.0% | +/-3.2 | 1,003 | ||||||||||||||
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. |
Background
History of medical marijuana in Montana
Voting on Marijuana | |||
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Ballot Measures | |||
By state | |||
By year | |||
Not on ballot | |||
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Initiative 148
Voters approved the Medical Marijuana Act, also known as Initiative 148, in 2004. Over 60 percent voted in support of the initiative.
House Bill 161
Lawmakers attempted to repeal Initiative 148 with House Bill 161 (HB 161). HB 161 passed through both the Montana House of Representatives and the Montana State Senate, which only left the Governor of Montana to sign the measure for it to become a law. The measure was vetoed by Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) on April 13, 2011.[29]
Senate Bill 423
Just weeks later, the Montana Legislature approved Senate Bill 423 (SB 423), which amended Initiative 148. In a 78-to-17 vote, the legislation was passed in the Montana House of Representatives on April 28, 2011. On the same day, the Montana Senate approved the bill in a 35-to-15 vote. SB 423 became law without the governor's signature on May 13, 2011.[7] The law was designed to ban marijuana advertisements, prohibit marijuana dispensaries from having more than three registered patients, ban providers from charging patients except to recover fees, and review doctors who prescribe marijuana to more than 25 patients per year.[30]
In March 2011, one month before the passage of SB 423, there were 29,948 medical marijuana patients and 4,848 providers in the state. By June 2011, the number of patients fell to less than 9,000 and the number of providers decreased to less than 400.[9] In July 2016, there were 487 medical marijuana providers providers.[31]
Initiative Referendum 124
Opponents of SB 423 put the bill on the ballot through a veto referendum campaign in 2012. On the ballot as Initiative Referendum 124, 57 percent of voters chose to uphold the legislature's SB 423.
Lawsuits against SB 423
The Montana Cannabis Industry Association sued the state in an attempt to block SB 423. Judge James P. Reynolds of the 1st Judicial District Court blocked three provisions of the law, including the bans on advertising, dispensaries having more than three patients, and charging patients, in June 2011. Soon after, the Montana Supreme Court ordered Judge Reynolds to review his decision. He confirmed his ruling again in January 2013, and then again in January 2015. Attorney General Tim Fox (R) appealed Reynolds' ruling to the Supreme Court.[9]
On February 25, 2015, the Montana Supreme Court upheld most of SB 423 in a six-to-one decision. The one provision the court struck down was the ban on medical marijuana dispensaries charing users except to recover licensing fees.[32] The court also determined that SB 423 would take effect on August 31, 2016, after much of the law was on hold pending appeal. The Montana Cannabis Industry Association appealed to the United States Supreme Court, which decided not to hear the case in June 2016.[8]
Advocates of medical marijuana went to Judge Reynolds, asking him to delay SB 423's implementation date to after the November 8, 2016, election. Judge Reynolds denied the request and stated, "Our system of government mandates that this Court, as a subsidiary district court, must follow the decisions of our Supreme Court."[33]
SB 423 goes into effect
After Senate Bill 423 went into effect on August 31, 2016, the number of medical marijuana patients without a provider increased four-fold to 11,850. More than 93 percent of the state's 12,730 patients had no provider in September 2016.[10] The number of registered patients dropped from 12,730 in September to 7,785 in October 2016.[34]
Medical marijuana across the states
- See also: Medical marijuana
As of May 2021, 36 states and Washington, D.C., had passed laws legalizing or decriminalizing medical marijuana. Additionally, 10 states had legalized the use of cannabis oil, or cannabidiol (CBD)—one of the non-psychoactive ingredients found in marijuana—for medical purposes.[35] In one state—Idaho—medical marijuana was illegal, but the use of a specific brand of FDA-approved CDB, Epidiolex, was legal.[36] Based on 2019 population estimates, 67.5 percent of Americans lived in a jurisdiction with access to medical marijuana.
Unique instances
Idaho: In 2015, the Idaho State Legislature passed a bill legalizing certain types of CBD oil that was later vetoed by Governor Butch Otter (R). In response, Otter issued an executive order allowing children with intractable epilepsy to use Epidiolex in certain circumstances. [37]
South Dakota: In 2019, the South Dakota State Legislature passed a bill amending one section of law by adding Epidiolex to its list of controlled substances. The bill also exempted CBD from the state's definition of marijuana in that section.[38] Elsewhere in state law, CBD was not exempted from the definition of marijuana. This discrepancy led to confusion that left the legal status of CBD in the state unclear for a year.[39]
After the 2019 changes, Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg (R) issued a statement, wherein he argued all forms of CBD oil, apart from Epidiolex, were illegal under state law.[40] Several state's attorneys expressed disagreement with the Attorney General's statements. Aaron McGown and Tom Wollman, state's attorneys for Minnehaha and Lincoln counties, respectively, issued a joint statement where they said the discrepancy left legality open to differing interpretations. Mark Vargo, the Pennington County state's attorney, said his office would not prosecute CBD cases based on his interpretation of the state law.[39]
On March 27, 2020, Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed House Bill 1008 into law, which legalized industrial hemp and CBD oil in the state.[41]
Clerical error in initiative text
A clerical error in Initiative 182's last two sentences postponed repealing the limit of three patients for each licensed medical marijuana provider until June 30, 2017.[42] Those who developed the initiative intended the limitation to be repealed immediately upon voter approval. The mistake occurred because the section of the initiative repealing the limitation was labeled "Section 9," and then renamed "Section 7." However, the last section of the text stating that "Section 9" would take effect immediately was not changed to "Section 7."[43] The paragraph of Initiative 182 in question read:[1]
“ | Section 27. Effective dates. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2),
[this act] is effective June 30, 2017. (2) [Sections 3, 4, 5, 9 and 20] are effective on passage and approval.[11] |
” |
Kate Cholewa, spokesperson for Montana Citizens for I-182, responded, "It was a simple switch of numbers, 7 and 9, that wasn’t caught." She expressed confidence that the error could be fixed, stating, "All the intent is clear. It's a clerical error, and we've been told there are avenues for fixing this in such a way that would let the initiative go into effect as intended. It would be pointless for it to go into effect in June."[43] She added, "It's an annoyance, not an issue."[44]
The state's Legislative Code Commissioner, Todd Everts, said fixing the clerical error would be "up to the Legislature."[44] He elaborated, “The legislature would have to pass a bill, and the governor would have to sign that day to change the effective date. The legislature starts up the first day of January 2017 and at minimum, it could take a few weeks if not much longer."[43]
On December 7, 2016, Judge James P. Reynolds of the Montana 1st Judicial District Court resolved the error, thus terminating the three-patient limit.[2]
Path to the ballot
The Montana Cannabis Industry Association sponsored the petition to the secretary of state. It was received on February 29, 2016, and approved for circulation on April 15, 2016. Supporters needed to collect 24,175 valid signatures, which is 5 percent of the total number of votes cast in the last gubernatorial general election.[45]
On July 13, 2016, the Montana Secretary of State Linda McCulloch certified the measure for the November 8, 2016, ballot.[46]
Cost of signature collection:
Sponsors of the measure hired M+R Strategic Services to collect signatures for the petition to qualify this measure for the ballot. A total of $84,000.00 was spent to collect the 24,175 valid signatures required to put this measure before voters, resulting in a total cost per required signature (CPRS) of $3.47.
Related measures
The first attempt to legalize marijuana through the initiative process came in 1972, when California activists got an initiative certified for the ballot. The measure was defeated. Marijuana legalization advocates had their breakthrough election in 2012, when both Washington and Colorado legalized recreational marijuana. Oregonians rejected a legalization measure that same year, but approved one two years later in 2014. As of the beginning of 2016, recreational marijuana had been legalized in four states and Washington, D.C. All legalizations came through the initiative process. As of the beginning of 2016, medical marijuana was legal in 25 states.[47]
More than 60 statewide marijuana-related initiatives were submitted for the 2016 ballot. The table below shows the marijuana-related measures that qualified for the 2016 election ballot:
The following table includes past initiative attempts in the United States to legalize marijuana:
State profile
Demographic data for Montana | ||
---|---|---|
Montana | U.S. | |
Total population: | 1,032,073 | 316,515,021 |
Land area (sq mi): | 145,546 | 3,531,905 |
Race and ethnicity** | ||
White: | 89.2% | 73.6% |
Black/African American: | 0.5% | 12.6% |
Asian: | 0.7% | 5.1% |
Native American: | 6.5% | 0.8% |
Pacific Islander: | 0.1% | 0.2% |
Two or more: | 2.5% | 3% |
Hispanic/Latino: | 3.3% | 17.1% |
Education | ||
High school graduation rate: | 92.8% | 86.7% |
College graduation rate: | 29.5% | 29.8% |
Income | ||
Median household income: | $47,169 | $53,889 |
Persons below poverty level: | 17% | 11.3% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Montana. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. |
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Montana
Montana voted Republican in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, three are located in Montana, accounting for 1.46 percent of the total pivot counties.[48]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Montana had two Retained Pivot Counties and one Boomerang Pivot County, accounting for 1.10 and 4.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.
More Montana coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Montana
- United States congressional delegations from Montana
- Public policy in Montana
- Endorsers in Montana
- Montana fact checks
- More...
See also
- Montana 2016 ballot measures
- 2016 ballot measures
- Montana Legislature
- List of Montana ballot measures
External links
Support
Opposition
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Montana Secretary of State, "BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR INITIATIVE NO. 182 (I-182)," accessed April 18, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bozeman Daily Chronicle, "Judge rules to re-open marijuana dispensaries immediately," December 7, 2016
- ↑ Missoulian, "Suit seeks to restore immediate medical marijuana access," November 23, 2016
- ↑ Montana Public Radio, "Montana Medical Marijuana Initiative To Take Effect Immediately," December 7, 2016
- ↑ Billings Gazette, "Bill would fix start-date of medical marijuana initiative," January 23, 2017
- ↑ Montana Legislature, "Senate Bill 131 Overview," accessed June 7, 2017
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Montana Legislature, "Bill Actions - Senate Bill 423," accessed October 3, 2016
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Billings Gazette, "U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal over medical marijuana in Montana," June 27, 2016
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Washington Post, "Eleven years after being approved, Montana’s medical marijuana industry faces an existential threat," August 17, 2015
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Montana Standard, "93 percent of medical marijuana patients lack provider under new law," September 18, 2016
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 11.9 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Montana Citizens for I-182, "Homepage," accessed October 3, 2016
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Montana Citizens for I-182, "Champions," accessed October 13, 2016
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Billings Gazette, "Guest opinion: Let's restore Montana's medical marijuana law," May 31, 2016
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Montana Public Radio, "Dem attorney general candidate supports medical marijuana ballot initiative," April 19, 2016
- ↑ Our Revolution, "Ballot Initiatives," accessed October 4, 2016
- ↑ Montana Citizens for I-182, "Fact Sheet," accessed October 3, 2016
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Montana Secretary of State, "2016 General Election Montana Voter Information Pamphlet," accessed September 21, 2016
- ↑ Safe Montana, "Homepage," accessed October 3, 2016
- ↑ Yahoo, "Anti-pot initiative sponsor gives up Montana ballot effort," August 24, 2016
- ↑ Helen Independent Record, "Marijuana is not harmless," October 4, 2016
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Montana Campaign Finance Filing System, "Committee search," accessed March 12, 2025
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>
tag; no text was provided for refs namedsup
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>
tag; no text was provided for refs namedopp
- ↑ Billings Gazette, "Gazette opinion: Voting again on medical marijuana," October 27, 2016
- ↑ Great Falls Tribune, "Vote for medical marijuana ballot issue," September 27, 2016
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 The Missoulian, "Majority of Montana voters oppose medical marijuana initiative, poll shows," October 20, 2016
- ↑ [Ballotpedia staff, "E-mail with Matt Leow," November 7, 2016]
- ↑ Montana Legislature, "Bill Actions - House Bill 148," accessed October 3, 2016
- ↑ Mic, "Marijuana legalization Montana 2016: Here's what to know about state's I-182 initiative," September 15, 2016
- ↑ Billings Gazette, "Medical marijuana providers at crossroads as new Montana law looms," August 15, 2016
- ↑ KTVQ, "Montana Supreme Court upholds most restrictions imposed in 2011 on medical marijuana," February 25, 2016
- ↑ KRTV, "Judge rules that limits on medical marijuana in Montana won't be delayed," August 18, 2016
- ↑ KBZK, "Big drop reported in Montana medical marijuana registry numbers," November 3, 2016
- ↑ This count excludes states that permitted both the use of cannabis oil and medical marijuana.
- ↑ CBD School, "CBD Laws by State 2020 - Just the Facts (is CBD legal in 2020?)," accessed February 28, 2020
- ↑ Idaho Office of Drug Policy, "Cannabidiol (CBD)," accessed February 28, 2020
- ↑ South Dakota Legislature official website, "2019 Senate Bill 22 - Enrolled," accessed February 28, 2020
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Argus Leader, "Is CBD oil illegal? Confusion reigns over South Dakota's law," April 19, 2019
- ↑ South Dakota Attorney General official website, "Attorney General Ravnsborg clarifies questions regarding industrial hemp and CBD (Cannabidiol) oil," March 25, 2019
- ↑ Argus Leader, "Industrial hemp becomes legal in South Dakota after Noem signs bill," March 27, 2020
- ↑ Helena Independent Record, "Error in I-182 cuts medical marijuana off for another 8 months -- and what will the Legislature do?" November 13, 2016
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 KBZK, "Clerical error" in I-182 could delay Montana medical marijuana access for months," August 26, 2016
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 Billings Gazette, "Error in marijuana initiative could delay changes to law," August 25, 2016
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "Proposed 2016 Ballot Issues," accessed December 16, 2015
- ↑ KLXH.com, "Pro-medical marijuana initiative qualifies for November ballot," July 13, 2016
- ↑ ProCon.org, "25 Legal Medical Marijuana States and DC," June 28, 2016
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
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