Montana continues to tweak its medical marijuana system, which was first written into law 15 years ago. On Monday, the state’s House passed Senate Bill 265, which makes important changes to the program including a temporary tax increase, the institution of doctor recommendations by phone, and the “untethering” of patients.

A bill to legalize recreational marijuana use for Montanans 18 and older failed to advance Thursday from a state House committee.

Kendra Langford Shaw loved running a small business.

It was a part-time endeavor with only six customers. Her product was medical marijuana, which she felt her customers relied on for their well-being.

When new regulations brought more costs in 2018, she thought things still might pencil out. She worked to comply with new state laws and had an inspection of her grow operation in the basement of her Billings home. She told her cardholders they had to look elsewhere.

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In its first year of taxing the medical marijuana industry, Montana raked in over a million dollars in revenue.

The state of Montana collected $1.8 million in the first year of taxing the medical marijuana industry, according to government officials. The Montana Department of Revenue also reported that the state’s medicinal cannabis businesses had generated approximately $45 million in sales during the first year of taxation.

State revenue director Gene Walborn told local media that the department was happy with the rollout of taxes on Montana’s medical marijuana industry.

Medical marijuana providers in Montana will start testing, labeling and tracking their products as new rules take effect Tuesday for state officials to keep close tabs on pot plants from seedlings until they’re sold.

The sweeping regulations cover everything from employee ID badges to pesticide testing, and aim to regulate the industry after voters in 2016 reversed severe restrictions previously passed by lawmakers.

Kate Cholewa, spokeswoman for the Montana Cannabis Industry Association, said the providers who make up her organization’s membership have been preparing for the new rules but won’t know if they are fully in compliance until they are inspected.

“I think people are as ready as they can be,” she said.

Because of concerns from Montana’s lawmakers, this state’s medical marijuana program might be delayed.

Montana’s legislature seems to be suffering from some last-minute indecisiveness just weeks before the state implements changes to rules governing legal medical cannabis. Slated to take effect on April 10, now this state’s medical marijuana program might be delayed.

The hangup has to do with rules governing the production end of the cannabis industry. The concern from lawmakers is that larger producers can grow so much cannabis, they’ll drive out smaller producers.

Montana Lawmakers Say “Canopy Limit” Rules Are Bad For Small Businesses

The state health department tweaked its medical marijuana program rules for testing, fees and other areas before releasing its final draft Feb. 9.

The rules define much of the inner workings of the multimillion-dollar industry, adding to a 2016 ballot initiative and a bill in the 2017 Montana Legislature that set up the system.

The rules specify what kinds of contaminants labs will test for in the marijuana, how providers will secure their businesses and how marijuana will be labeled, among other things.

Despite snowy conditions in Helena on Friday, dozens of people visited the Montana State Capitol to take part in a statewide conference on the medical marijuana industry.

Organizers said the Montana Cannabis Conference is intended as a free educational event for people involved in the industry and for those who simply want to learn more about it.

“We wanted to give a one-day ability for folks to learn about farming and cultivation science and testing labs and medicine,” said state Rep. Ellie Hill Smith, a Democrat from Missoula and a board member of The Cannabis Way, Montana Chapter, a nonprofit group that sponsored the event.