Last verified: March 2026

Adult-Use Cannabis in Montana

Recreational cannabis is legal in Montana for adults 21 years of age and older. Montana voters approved Initiative 190 (I-190) on November 3, 2020, with 57% of the vote, and Constitutional Initiative 118 (CI-118) at 58%, setting the legal age at 21. Governor Gianforte signed HB 701 on May 18, 2021, establishing the implementation framework. Legal sales began on January 1, 2022, in green counties.

Montana's recreational law is administered by the Cannabis and Alcohol Regulation Division (CARD) within the Department of Revenue, under Administrator Kristan Barbour. CARD oversees approximately 1,000 licensed premises with a staff of roughly 50 and tracks all cannabis through the Metrc seed-to-sale system.

An individual who is at least 21 years of age may possess, purchase, and use marijuana in this state as provided by law.

I-190 / Title 16, Chapter 12 MCA

Who Can Buy Recreational Cannabis

To legally purchase recreational cannabis in Montana, you must:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Present a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID)
• Purchase only from a CARD-licensed dispensary in a green county

There is no residency requirement. Out-of-state visitors can buy and consume cannabis under the same rules as Montana residents. For visitor-specific guidance, see our Out-of-State Visitors guide.

Purchase & Possession Limits

For a full breakdown of medical vs. recreational limits, visit our Possession Limits page.

The 35% THC Cap

Montana caps recreational flower at 35% THC. This potency limit does not apply to medical patients, who can access products without potency restrictions. The cap was implemented through HB 701 and reflects the legislature's cautious approach to high-potency products. A separate bill in 2025 (SB 443) attempted to lower the cap to 15% but failed.

Edible Changes: 5mg Serving Coming July 2026

Green Counties Only

Recreational sales are only permitted in green counties — the 28 counties that voted for I-190. Red counties (the other 28) prohibit recreational dispensaries unless voters opt in through a local ballot measure. Green counties contain over 80% of Montana's population, so most residents and visitors have access. See our Green & Red Counties guide for the full map.

Where You Can Buy: Licensed Dispensaries Only

Cannabis may only be purchased from CARD-licensed dispensaries. Buying from unlicensed sources is illegal. Montana's market features approximately 214 dispensary operators across 465 retail locations, plus 228 cultivators at 343 cultivation locations, 159 manufacturers, 3 testing laboratories, and 9 transporters.

Every licensee must demonstrate operational control by a Montana resident of 1+ years. The license moratorium (SB 27) freezes new location openings through June 30, 2027, effectively keeping multi-state operators out of the Montana market.

Use our dispensary directory to find licensed stores in Missoula, Bozeman, gateway towns, and across the state.

Where You Can Consume

Private property only. Montana has no consumption lounges and does not allow on-site consumption at dispensaries. Public consumption carries a $50 fine. Federal land — including Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, national forests, and BLM land — is entirely off-limits under federal law. For details, see Where You Can Consume.

Home Cultivation

Since July 1, 2023, adults 21+ can grow cannabis at home:

• 2 mature + 2 seedlings per person
• 4 mature + 4 seedlings per household
• Must be in a locked enclosed space
• No outdoor growing unless fenced and locked
• No volatile solvents (butane hash oil extraction is banned)

Medical patients have higher limits: 4 mature + 4 seedlings each. For complete rules, see Home Cultivation.

Employment Protections

Montana is one of a handful of legal states that protects off-duty cannabis use from employer discrimination. HB 701 amended Montana's "lawful products" statute to include marijuana. However, employers can still maintain drug-free workplace policies, test for impairment, and take action for on-the-job impairment. See Employment Protections for details.

Cannabis Tax & Conservation

Montana levies a 20% excise tax on recreational sales and 4% on medical, plus an optional local tax of up to 3%. What makes Montana unique nationally is the tax allocation: approximately $18 million per year goes directly to conservation — Fish, Wildlife & Parks, state parks, trails, and nongame wildlife. See Taxes & Revenue.

Official Sources

• CARD Cannabis Program
• Title 16, Chapter 12 MCA — Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act
• TransAction Portal (TAP) — Licensing