Montana medical marijuana business owners oppose proposed rules

Medical marijuana dispensary owners  in Montana say proposed regulatory actions would place considerable cost and time burdens on their businesses.

The stakeholders voiced opposition to proposed rules MMJ during a hearing at the state Department of Public Health and Human Services, according to the Montana Standard.

Among the proposals:

• Dispensaries would be required to test marijuana products for items that include heavy metals and pesticides.
• Licensing fees would be set at $1,000 for dispensary owners with 10 or fewer patients and $5,000 for businesses with over 10.
• Dispensaries would pay a 4% tax on gross sales.
• The state would implement a seed-to-sale tracking system.

The proposed rules were made public earlier this month and are in response to voter-approved legislation.

– Associated Press