Retailers in Montana selling recreational items marijuana could see their stores being closed under a new bill from a GOP lawmaker, reported Helena Independent record.

Sen. Keith Regier’s (R) Senate Bill 546 made headlines as it seeks to transform the existing marijuana market, which has been thriving for over a year.

The Senate Committee on Business, Labor and Economics held a hearing on the bill Wednesday, during which Governor shared his stance on marijuana legalization, which Montanans gave the green light in 2020. 58 percent of voters in November said yes to the Wahl initiative to make possession and use of an ounce or less of cannabis or eight grams or less of concentrate legal by adults 21 and older.

Marijuana is an “addictive and dangerous substance,” GOP lawmakers say

“There is a high cost involved in turning an addictive and dangerous substance into a commercial product,” Regier told the committee on Wednesday.

Lawmakers argued against the voting measure, which included tax allocations, which it rejected. Proponents of the new bill, including Regier, said recreational marijuana was destabilizing in the state’s communities.

They also support some of the bill’s provisions, which aim to increase the state tax on medical cannabis from 4% to 20% and drastically reduce the potency of products and quantities that can be legally possessed.

“The potency is out of control. It’s an epidemic,” said Steve Zabawa, head of the anti-marijuana group Safe Montana, who helped draft the bill. “We have to create a level playing field. At the moment they won the last round in 2020 and 2021.”

He claimed the measure is also aimed at protecting children and families.

Interestingly, those who support Montana’s current marijuana law have based their arguments on a similar premise.

“If this law were passed, the black market would be infiltrated, so more cannabis would get into the hands of children,” said Mariah Bond of Euphoria Wellness.

Others raised concerns about marijuana…