Bill would pull money from conservation initiatives
This November, Montana voters passed the I-190 Initiative legalizing marijuana. This was passed with the understanding that almost half of the revenue generated by the sale of Marijuana for the state would be used to help with conservation and increasing access to public lands.
However, House Bill 169 is challenging this revenue by trying to pull it from Habitat Montana and many other conservation initiatives. Montana’s tourism and local recreation depend almost entirely on our public lands and wildlife and this drastic decrease in funding for them would be a dangerous precedent for our state.
Elizabeth Murray
Bozeman
Pot money should go to preserving public land
Money received in taxes from marijuana should go to preserving Montana lands. When voted on, the understanding was that the funding would go to our public parks and lands. Montana is
heavily reliant on its image and brand as a place that is geared towards outdoor access. A large number of funds that come from recreational marijuana sales would greatly improve and help
maintain Montana’s outdoors for all to enjoy.
In the 2021 Conservation of the Rockies poll, 90% of people agreed that even with state budget problems, we should still find money to protect the state’s land, water, and wildlife. In Colorado, most of the money has gone to fund PK-12 schools and there has been nothing but positive benefits.
Montana could see these same results on its public lands.
Mathilda Ruttgers
Bozeman
Bozeman Daily Chronicle Letters to the Editor 2/26/21