Montana Gov. Signs Bill Reserving $12M of Cannabis Tax Revenues for ‘Habitat Legacy Account’

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) signed a law directing about $12 million of
annual tax revenues from cannabis sales into a “habitat legacy account,” Public
News Service reports. Three-quarters of the fund will be used for
conservation easements, water storage, and Wildlife Management Areas
projects, while the remaining funds will be used for wildlife habitat
support.

State Rep. Becky Edwards (D), executive director of Mountain Mamas, told
Public News Service that the law ensures that using cannabis tax revenues
for conservation efforts will not “be up for negotiation every legislative
session.”

“It provides certainty that those dollars will be there for state park
creation, trails, wildlife habitat – all the things that are so important
to us as Montanans.” — Edwards to Public News Service

Edwards added that about 5% of the funds will be directed into an account
that reduces wildlife collision possibilities.

In August, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a spending plan
that, for the first time, included funding from state cannabis taxes. The
contributions buoyed the account by about $1.13 million. Montana Fish,
Wildlife and Parks wildlife division administrator Ken McDonald said some
of the funds would be used to provide habitat for pygmy rabbits and pinion
jays.