Montana Sells More than $1.5 Million in First Day of Recreational Sales

Silverleaf Dispensary in Helena, Montana on January 1, 2022.

Recreational cannabis went on sale for Montana residents on January 1, 2022.

According to the 380 dispensaries in 29 counties that opened their doors across the state, most would say it was a successful first weekend. The Montana Department of Revenue reported that there was a combined revenue of $1,566,980 in cannabis sales on Saturday (1/1) and Sunday (1/2).

The MDR said the majority of sales over the weekend were for adult-use, with most medical patients shopping prior to the launch of recreational sales. Currently, only medical dispensaries that were licensed prior to the passing of legalization in November 2020 are permitted to make recreational sales.

New adult-use dispensaries won’t be able to open for the next 18 months.

Adult-use sales are taxed by the state at 20%, compared to just 4% for medical sales. In other words, the first weekend of recreational sales in Montana could have brought in over $310,000 in tax revenue for the state.

Several counties in the state voted for a 3% local tax on cannabis as well. However this won’t go into effect for another couple of weeks.