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Montana CANNABIS LICENSES

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Table of Contents

Montana Cannabis Licensing Overview

The next adult-use cannabis business license application window will open on July 1, 2027, though an official closing date has not yet been announced. The application window for new cannabis business licenses was originally set to open on July 1, 2025, but it has since been pushed back to 2027. There is currently no limit on the number of cannabis licenses that will be authorized in Montana, and applications are being reviewed and issued on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis with no set end date for the application window.

Legislators are currently reviewing bills that could limit the number of new licenses issued, so it’s critical for prospective applicants to prepare early and monitor regulatory updates.

Montana’s cannabis industry has generated over $1 billion in total sales since adult-use legalization began in January 2021. With strong market demand and an evolving regulatory framework, the 2027 licensing round offers a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs and established operators alike to enter or expand within the state.

License Types Available in Montana

The Montana Department of Revenue’s Cannabis Control Division (CCD) will begin accepting the following adult-use Montana cannabis license applications on July 1, 2027:

Each license type supports a specific segment of the supply chain, allowing businesses to engage in retail, production, or distribution based on their strategic goals.

Montana also has the facilities operating using the following license types, however they are not currently open to new applicants:

General Cannabis Licensing Information

Cannabis businesses can be vertically integrated, meaning one company can hold a Montana cultivation license, manufacturing license, and retail license, and may operate multiple locations under each license type. Each location needs to be approved by the CCD before becoming operational.

The person managing day-to-day operations must be a Montana resident, and all applicants must show proof of at least one year of Montana residency.

Applications must be submitted through the TransAction Portal (TAP), and each application must include a compliant business address, proof of funding from legitimate sources, background checks for all owners with 5% or more control, and full organizational transparency.

A 20% non-refundable processing fee is required at submission, with the remaining 80% due upon approval. All locations must pass inspections and have the necessary zoning and fire/building permits before operations can begin.

The Department of Revenue reviews applications on a rolling basis. 

Key Points About Montana Cannabis Licensing

Local Government Authority

Before applying, confirm that your local jurisdiction allows the type of cannabis business you plan to operate. If the county you’re applying in previously opted out or voted against legalization in 2020, the county will need to opt in. To opt in, the county needs to hold a local election to approve that type of cannabis business license. All counties that voted for legalization in 2020 are automatically opted in if they have not since chose to opt out.

Keep in mind that…

Opt-in map

Montana Cannabis Licenses

Dispensary License

Licensing Fee: $5,000

In Montana, the Dispensary License allows a business to sell cannabis for both recreational and medical use. Cannabis must be sold to adults 21 years of age or older, or medical card holders.

Operational Requirements

Recreational dispensaries in Montana must operate from a fixed brick-and-mortar location that complies with local zoning and building codes. Each location must:

Dispensaries are not permitted to allow on-site consumption.

Cultivator License

The Cultivator License allows a business to grow cannabis for sale to other licensed businesses or for transfer to a dispensary licensed under the same business. This license authorizes the growing of cannabis and other cultivation related activities for licensed adult-use or medical cannabis businesses. Cannabis must be cultivated at an approved indoor facility in compliance with Montana cannabis laws as well as state and local regulations.

Sale to consumers is not permitted under this license.

Table showing Cultivation Canopy Tiers and Fees
Cultivation Canopy Tiers and Fees

Operational Requirements

Cultivators must operate from a licensed, indoor facility approved by the Cannabis Control Division (CCD). Outdoor cultivation is not permitted for new applicants. Each cultivation site must:

Cultivators may transfer cannabis to their own licensed dispensary or sell to other licensed businesses, but cannot sell directly to consumers.

Licensees may transport their own cannabis between licensed sites, provided all transport activities comply with state rules.

A cultivator alone cannot package or label cannabis for retail sale unless:

Tier upgrades (i.e., expanding canopy size) may be requested during the annual renewal process and must meet the compliance criteria in 16-12-223(1)(e), MCA

Manufacturer License

A Manufacturer License allows a business to produce marijuana concentrates, extracts, and infused products. This license also permits the packaging, repackaging, labeling, or relabeling of marijuana products. Manufacturers purchase cannabis from licensed cultivators and sell finished products to other licensed businesses. Manufacturers are not allowed to sell directly to consumers.

There are three tiers of the Manufacturer License:

Table showing Manufacture Tiers and Fees

All fees are annual and are based on the amount of concentrate produced monthly. Manufacturers who do not produce concentrate may use the lowest tier

Tiers are based on the monthly volume of concentrate produced. Businesses may apply for multiple manufacturing locations or request a tier increase at renewal. 

Businesses that manufacture without producing concentrates (e.g., only package, infuse, or relabel) are issued a Tier 1 license

Operational Requirements

Transporter License

Licensing Fee: $10,000 for a two-year period.

Storage facility endorsement is $1,000 annually

Montana’s Transporter License allows a business to transport cannabis and cannabis products between licensed cannabis businesses, including testing laboratories. Transporters may also deliver to registered medical cardholders, but are not permitted to deliver to Montana recreational weed toadult-use consumers.

This license is designed for third-party transportation providers. Cannabis businesses with cultivation, manufacturing, or dispensary licenses may transport their own products without holding a separate transporter license.

General Information

Transporters must meet all General Licensee Requirements and these additional requirements:

Operational Requirements

Transporters must follow all delivery, tracking, and security rules, including:

Transporters that wish to store cannabis overnight must apply for a Storage Facility Endorsement, which allows for off-site, temporary storage of products.

Testing Laboratory License

Licensing Fee:

A Testing Laboratory License in Montana allows a facility to analyze samples of cannabis and cannabis products to determine potency, cannabinoid profile, and the presence of contaminants such as pesticides, mold, heavy metals, or residual solvents.

All cannabis and cannabis products must be tested and pass state-mandated standards before they can be sold to medical cardholders or adult-use consumers through a dispensary.

General Information

In addition to the requirements listed here, testing laboratories must meet all General Licensee Requirements.

Operational Requirements

Testing laboratories must:

Combined-Use Licenses

Licensing Fee: $7,500

The Combined-Use License is a special cannabis license in Montana designed exclusively for the state’s eight federally recognized tribes or entities that are majority-owned by a Montana tribe. This license includes both a Montana Cultivation License and a Dispensary License, allowing the holder to grow and sell cannabis under one unified license.

Unlike other cannabis licenses, combined-use licenses are not subject to the moratorium on new licenses and are currently available for application.

General Information

In addition to the requirements listed here, combined-use licensees must meet all General Licensee Requirements.

Operational Requirements

Facilities under a combined-use license must:

Local Approval

If a tribe plans to operate in a county that voted against Initiative 190 in 2020, the county must have opted in to allow cannabis businesses. All facilities must comply with local jurisdictional rules and approvals.

Fees: Cannabis licenses in Montana have an application and licensing fee that varies based on the license being applied for and the number of locations being applied for.

1. Two-Part Payment Structure

All license applications in Montana require payment in two stages:

Example

If you apply for a Dispensary License:

Additional Fee Rules

How to Apply for a Montana Cannabis License:

The following information applies to all Montana cannabis license types in Montana. Whether you’re applying for a dispensary, cultivation, manufacturing, transporter, or testing lab license, the application process follows the same general structure.

Step-by-Step Overview

1. Submit Your Application Online

All cannabis license applications must be submitted through the TransAction Portal (TAP).

2. Understand License Structure

3. Prepare All Required Documents

To avoid denial and the loss of your non-refundable 20% processing fee, you need to gather the following documents before applying.

Required Documents for All License Applications:

Note: Each proposed location must be approved, inspected, and licensed before operations can begin.

4. Pay the Required Fees

5. Ensure Employee Compliance

All employees must obtain a Marijuana Worker Permit before beginning any work.

Additional Notes

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Licensees must develop and maintain written SOPs tailored to their specific license type. These SOPs should be readily available at each licensed premises and are subject to inspection by the Montana Department of Revenue. SOPs are explicitly required for Cultivator and Manufacturer Licenses, but all licensees must meet detailed compliance standards that inspectors verify through a comprehensive checklist.

Required SOPs required to be complete and held on-site before the initial and preceding inspections include:

General

Cultivators:

Manufacturers:

Dispensaries:

SOPs for the destruction of returned marijuana or marijuana products.

A marijuana dispensary licensee that offers retail deli-style sales must maintain and make available for inspection a SOP detailing sterile handling techniques to handle marijuana flower.

Why Choose CannDelta?

By choosing CannDelta, you’re partnering with a trusted leader in cannabis consulting services in Montana. Our team brings deep knowledge of Montana’s cannabis regulations and years of experience supporting businesses across North America. Whether you’re applying for a license or scaling operations, we provide the strategic support you need to succeed in this growing market. From cannabis compliance in Montana to brand strategy, we have every angle covered.

Cannabis License Applications

Our cannabis consulting services in Montana include hands-on guidance for submitting strong, compliant applications. We help you understand the process, meet every requirement, and stay ahead in a competitive space.

Security Plan

Our consultants create detailed, state-compliant security plans that protect your facility, your staff, and your inventory while aligning with cannabis compliance in Montana.

Business Plan Development

Lay the groundwork for long-term success with a comprehensive business plan. We tailor each plan to Montana’s licensing framework and your specific market goals.

Standard Operating Procedures

We draft SOPs that ensure operational efficiency and full alignment with state regulations. This is a vital part of maintaining cannabis compliance in Montana.

Marketing Plan

As a top cannabis marketing agency in Montana, we help businesses develop strong brand identities and build outreach strategies that resonate with local consumers.

Site Audits and Inspections

We conduct full-site audits to assess readiness and ensure your operation is prepared for inspection. Our insights help identify gaps and resolve issues before they become problems.

Employee Staffing and Training Plan

We support your team-building efforts with recruitment strategies and training programs that prepare your staff for success in Montana’s cannabis market.

Whether you’re launching or expanding, trust CannDelta as your cannabis marketing agency in Montana and your go-to provider of cannabis consulting services in Montana.

Fill out the form below to connect with our Montana consultants today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it Legal to Grow Weed in Montana?

Yes, it is legal to grow cannabis in Montana with the appropriate license. Adults aged 21 and older are also allowed to grow up to two mature plants and two seedlings for personal use at home, provided they follow state regulations and grow in a private, secure location. Commercial cultivation requires a state-issued cannabis cultivator license, which is regulated by the Montana Department of Revenue’s Cannabis Control Division.

Yes, both medical and recreational cannabis are legal in Montana. Medical cannabis has been legal since 2004, and adult-use cannabis was legalized by voter initiative in 2020. Retail sales of adult-use cannabis began on January 1, 2022.

Yes, marijuana is legal for recreational use in Montana. Adults aged 21 and older can legally possess, purchase, and consume cannabis from licensed dispensaries. Recreational use is regulated by the Montana Department of Revenue, and local governments may impose additional restrictions.

As of early 2025, there are several hundred active cannabis licenses in Montana, including dispensary, cultivator, manufacturer, transporter, testing laboratory, and combined-use licenses. The exact number may fluctuate due to new issuances, renewals, and expirations. The Cannabis Control Division maintains a public list of active licensees on its website.

To get a cannabis license in Montana, applicants must submit their application through the TransAction Portal (TAP), the state’s official online system. They must meet eligibility requirements, provide proof of Montana residency, secure a compliant location, submit inspection reports, and pay a two-part license fee. Applications are reviewed by the Cannabis Control Division, and the business must pass a final inspection before beginning operations.

To start a cannabis business in Montana, you need to determine your license type, secure a compliant facility, meet state and local zoning rules, and prepare all required documentation, including proof of funding and residency. You will apply through the TransAction Portal and undergo a facility inspection before receiving your license. You may also need local approval depending on your county or municipality.

Cannabis license fees in Montana vary by license type and tier. For example, a dispensary license costs $5,000 per location, while cultivator licenses range from $1,000 for micro-tiers up to $37,000 for Tier 12. Manufacturers are also charged by production tier, and all applications require a non-refundable processing fee equal to 20 percent of the total license cost at the time of submission. The remaining 80 percent is due upon approval.

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