Dispensaries Targeted Despite Referendum

The Billings Gazette reports that another medical marijuana dispensary is suing the city over blatant attempts by the municipal government to oust the business.

Shawn Palmer says his medical marijuana dispensary business has been licensed annually in Billings since 2011, but when he went to renew near the end of 2017, he says the city denied him. Then the city sent him code violation notices that said the dispensary should cease doing business because he had no license, even though the city granted him business licenses in previous years.

Billings has had a de facto ban on medical marijuana businesses on the books since 2012. City code says that all business licensees must follow state and federal law, but Montana passed an expanded medical marijuana initiative in 2016.

Palmer’s Grand Avenue business is accessible only to registered medical marijuana patients.