Great Falls has taken a step toward establishing its first cannabis cultivation facility, as the Great Falls Planning Advisory Board/Zoning Commission granted conditional approval to Flower, a company based in Missoula County. This decision comes just before a new law is set to impose a freeze on new marijuana operations in Montana, which will affect the timeline for the cultivation facility’s opening.
On Tuesday, the planning board approved a conditional use permit that allows Flower to operate a cannabis cultivation site at 748 Crescent Circle, located in the westside industrial corridor of Great Falls. Bobby Long, the owner of Flower, expressed his intention to create an operational hub for cannabis cultivation and processing. He has previously run cannabis businesses in Lolo and Missoula for over a decade.
Long aims to open a retail dispensary this fall and has already secured the necessary licensing for it. However, the new state law, set to freeze the licensing of new cannabis business locations starting July 1, will delay the opening of the cultivation facility for at least two years. This freeze is part of the state’s strategy to limit the growth of new cannabis businesses until June 30, 2027.
Long purchased the property in December 2022, fully aware of the impending freeze. Currently, an existing tenant will occupy the space temporarily, while Long plans to prepare the facility for operation once the freeze is lifted.
The planning board’s approval was not without controversy. Julie Essex, one board member, voted against the permit, citing concerns over the federal classification of marijuana as an illegal substance. Essex referenced a congressional memo detailing marijuana’s status as a Schedule I drug, which she argued makes the permit itself illegal. Despite her concerns, the majority of the board voted 4-1 in favor of the permit, focusing on local regulations rather than federal law.
The conditional use permit includes specific conditions, such as a ban on outdoor cannabis cultivation and measures to control odor from the facility. Long assured the board that air filters and a closed-loop HVAC system would prevent any smell from extending beyond the building.
Nearby residents and the Neighborhood Council No. 2 raised additional concerns, including the potential for an uneven concentration of marijuana businesses in certain areas. Despite these issues, the council opted not to oppose Long’s permit.
The recent history of cannabis regulation in Great Falls has been tumultuous. In 2022, a lawsuit by medical marijuana business owners resulted in a court ruling favoring their right to establish operations in the city, leading to the amendment of zoning regulations to permit such businesses. Montana voters have supported medical marijuana since 2004 and legalized recreational use in 2020, despite ongoing conflicts with federal law.
Long’s project represents a significant step in expanding the local cannabis industry, which has faced various legal and regulatory hurdles over the years. The conditional use permit still requires final approval from the city commission before the cultivation facility can proceed.
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