Missoula dispensary owner reacts to proposed recreational marijuana regulations
MISSOULA, Mont. — The recreational sale of marijuana will be available in Montana starting Jan. 1. Missoula County is still drafting regulations dispensaries will need to follow to be able to take part in the new business model.
The Herbal Counter co-owner Brandon Madland says he has been impressed with the county’s initiative so far.
“I feel like the intent of the county is sincere in getting ahead of the unknown,” Madland said. “I believe that they are doing the best they can under the circumstances.”
Missoula County is currently proposing regulations on window transparency, energy limits for grow operations and shop buffer zones.
Madland says he is encouraged by the county’s attempts at including input from outside sources but stresses that they need to engage with the proper entities.
“It is important that there is a heartbeat of an industry in Montana. It is unique to Montana and only Montana. We have an amazing organization, the MTCIA,” Madland said. “It’s a great outreach, lots of proposals, lots of good people there, and those are the people that I think should be getting the input and being in the ear.”
Madland says the attempts at energy regulations for grow operations are brilliant, but he questions some of the logistics being used.
He also would like to have frosted windows regulations that protect patient anonymity.
“At the core of it, I am a medical provider, and medical marijuana is the only thing that exists in Montana. Even when January happens, protecting the anonymity and safe transaction to my medical patients is the most important thing to me,” Madland added. “So clarity of what the county wants for a frosted window versus letting a little bit of light in and trying to not create that black hole as they described it onto the city. Protecting the people.”
So far county regulations are not set, and residents can provide input.
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