Does Montana cannabis tax fund conservation?

Yes. Montana is the only state where cannabis tax revenue directly funds conservation. Approximately $18 million per year goes to Fish, Wildlife & Parks (wildlife habitat), state parks, trails, and nongame wildlife programs. The first $6 million annually goes to the HEART Fund for mental health.

How much of Montana cannabis tax goes to wildlife?

After the first $6 million goes to the HEART Fund, 20% of the remaining tax revenue goes to Fish, Wildlife & Parks for wildlife habitat conservation. An additional 4% goes to state parks and 4% to trails and nongame wildlife. Combined, about one-third of total cannabis tax revenue funds conservation.

Why did conservation groups endorse Montana cannabis legalization?

Wild Montana Action Fund and the Montana Wildlife Federation endorsed I-190 because the ballot measure directed a significant portion of cannabis tax revenue to Fish, Wildlife & Parks and conservation programs. The I-190 campaign strategically tied legalization to conservation values shared across Montana's political spectrum.

How much total cannabis tax has Montana collected?

Montana has collected approximately $217 million in cumulative cannabis tax revenue since recreational sales began in January 2022, with approximately $59 million in 2025 alone. Cumulative sales have reached $1.27 billion.

Cannabis Funds Conservation — Montana's Model

Last verified: March 2026

Buying Cannabis Is an Act of Land Stewardship

That is not hyperbole — it was the central argument of the I-190 campaign, and it is now built into Montana law. When you purchase recreational cannabis in Montana, 20% of the price goes to state excise tax, and a significant portion of that tax revenue flows directly to Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), state parks, trails, and nongame wildlife programs.

No other state in the nation has this direct connection between cannabis purchases and conservation funding. It was designed that way — deliberately, strategically, and successfully.

How the Money Flows

Montana's cannabis tax allocation is structured as follows (revised by HB 932, 2025):

Allocation	Recipient	Purpose
First $6M annually	HEART Fund	Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment (mental health)
20% of remainder	Fish, Wildlife & Parks	Wildlife habitat acquisition and conservation
4% of remainder	State Parks	State park maintenance and improvement
4% of remainder	Trails & Nongame Wildlife	Trail development and nongame species programs
$200K annually	Veterans Services	Veteran support programs
$150K annually	Crisis Training	Law enforcement crisis intervention
5% of remainder	CARD Administration	Regulatory program operations
Remainder	General Fund	State general revenue

Approximately one-third of total cannabis tax revenue goes to conservation-related programs. With cumulative tax revenue of $217 million and growing, this translates to roughly $18 million per year for wildlife, parks, and trails.

The Conservation Numbers

~$18M

Annual Conservation

$217M

Total Tax Revenue

20%

To FWP Wildlife

$1.27B

Cumulative Sales

How the Campaign Won: Conservation as Strategy

The I-190 campaign, led by New Approach Montana, made a calculated bet: they would win legalization in a conservative state by tying cannabis to the values all Montanans share.

The campaign's insight was that in Montana, conservation is not a partisan issue. Hunters, anglers, ranchers, hikers, skiers, and wildlife watchers — across the political spectrum — share a deep commitment to open space, wildlife habitat, and public lands. The campaign framed cannabis legalization as a new revenue stream for the things Montanans care about most.

All Montanans share the values of open space, wild places, and healthy wildlife populations. Cannabis tax revenue can fund the conservation of these values for future generations.
New Approach Montana Campaign

Key Campaign Endorsements

Wild Montana Action Fund — The political arm of Montana's largest wilderness advocacy organization endorsed I-190, citing the conservation funding mechanism
Montana Wildlife Federation — One of Montana's most respected conservation organizations endorsed legalization, noting the direct funding pipeline to Fish, Wildlife & Parks

These endorsements were unprecedented and gave the campaign credibility with conservation-minded voters who might otherwise have been skeptical of cannabis legalization. The result: 57% approval in a state that went for Trump by 16 points.

What Conservation Funding Means in Practice

Fish, Wildlife & Parks uses cannabis tax revenue for:

Wildlife habitat acquisition: Purchasing conservation easements and land to protect critical habitat for elk, deer, bears, birds, and other species
Habitat restoration: Stream restoration, invasive species management, and fire rehabilitation
State parks: Maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and new trail development at Montana's state parks
Nongame wildlife: Programs supporting non-hunted species including raptors, songbirds, bats, and amphibians
Trails: Building and maintaining hiking, biking, and cross-country ski trails statewide

A Model for Other States?

Montana's cannabis-to-conservation pipeline is unique nationally, but it offers a potential model for other states considering legalization. The I-190 campaign demonstrated that cannabis policy can be framed around shared values rather than partisan positions, and that conservation funding can build a broad coalition in states where traditional legalization arguments might fail.

For detailed tax rates and revenue data, see our Taxes & Revenue page.

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How Cannabis Tax Funds Montana Conservation