Montanans voted to legalize recreational marijuana earlier this month, but there are still hurdles to overcome before people without medical marijuana cards can head to the pot shop.

I-190, one of the two initiatives that legalized recreational marijuana in the state, may still be changed by the Montana Legislature during the upcoming 2021 session, and a lawsuit has been filed in Helena District Court to challenge the constitutionality of the initiative.

But as it stands, marijuana is set to become legal in Montana on Jan. 1. Even though weed becomes legal to possess, use and grow for personal use on Jan. 1, it will be a while until recreational shops will open. The Montana Department of Revenue will begin accepting applications from existing medical dispensaries to open recreational dispensaries by Oct. 1, 2021, and those existing dispensaries will have 12 months to apply for licensing before it opens up to the general public.

Read more at Bozeman Daily Chronicle