Montana Recreational Dispensaries: How Many, and Where to Shop

Key Takeaways

• Montana’s recreational cannabis sales began January 1, 2022.
• Only adults 21 and older can buy recreational cannabis.
• The state lists hundreds of licensed dispensaries, and the count shifts often.
• “Green” counties allow recreational sales, “red” counties stay medical-only.
• Cascade County is green, so Great Falls has adult-use dispensaries.
• Montana charges a 20% state tax on recreational cannabis.

You want a straight answer about Montana’s recreational dispensaries. Here it is, without the filler.

This guide covers how many dispensaries operate and which counties allow them. It also explains what you pay at the register and how to shop in Great Falls. It is built for adults who want facts before they drive across town.

Infinity Wellness runs two adult-use stores in Great Falls, so our team fields these questions daily. For a quick rundown of the rules, our dispensary FAQ covers the basics. This article is educational only, it is not legal advice, and recreational sales are for adults 21 and older.

Start with the number everyone asks about first.

How Many Dispensaries Are in Montana?

Montana has hundreds of licensed dispensaries. The exact figure moves as the state issues, renews, and retires licenses.

The official source is the Montana Cannabis Control Division’s Licensed Dispensary List. This list is required by state law and updated regularly. It names every licensed location, its city, and whether it sells adult-use, medical, or both.

Third-party counts vary widely. Some directories list around a hundred stores. Others count more than five hundred locations. The gap comes down to method. One licensee can run several storefronts, and many shops sell both medical and adult-use products.

So the honest answer is simple. Check the state’s list for today’s number.

The bigger question is where those stores can legally open.

Where Recreational Dispensaries Can Operate

Montana has 56 counties, and not all of them allow recreational sales. The state uses a “green” and “red” system to sort them.

In green counties, most voters approved Initiative 190 back in 2020. Adult-use sales are allowed there. In red counties, most voters opposed the measure, so only medical marijuana sales are permitted. The Cannabis Control Division’s consumer summary explains this split and links to the current county map.

Not sure about a specific town? The state’s county map shows the current green and red split at a glance. Check it before you plan a trip to an unfamiliar area.

The rules for buyers are consistent statewide. You must be 21 or older. You need a valid, government-issued ID. Sales to registered medical patients follow separate limits.

Cost is the next thing most shoppers ask about.

What You Pay at a Montana Dispensary

Recreational cannabis carries a 20% state tax at the register. Medical cannabis is taxed at a lower 4% rate. Counties can also add a local-option tax of up to 3% on top of the state rate.

That local tax is set county by county. Two stores an hour apart can ring up different totals on the same cart. Always check your county’s rate before you assume a price.

Expert Insight: The county matters as much as the shelf price.

Shoppers often compare sticker prices between stores and stop there. In Montana, the smarter check is the county. A green county with no local-option tax can beat one that added the full 3%. The products can be identical. A nearby red county sells no recreational cannabis at all. Before you drive out of town for a deal, confirm the county allows adult-use sales and check its tax rate. That five-minute step saves a wasted trip.

Now to the part that matters if you live near the Missouri River.

Recreational Dispensaries in Great Falls

Great Falls sits in Cascade County, which is a green county. Voters there approved recreational legalization in 2020. A 2022 court ruling confirmed adult-use sales are authorized inside Great Falls city limits. The Electric City has several licensed dispensaries today.

Infinity Wellness operates two of them. Both open daily and serve adults 21 and older with a valid ID.

Looking for a marijuana dispensary in Great Falls near the River’s Edge Trail or downtown? Both stores are a short drive from the river. You can check current specials on our dispensary deals page before you go.

A little prep makes that first visit quick.

What to Bring on Your First Visit

A first dispensary trip goes faster when you arrive ready. Montana’s rules are simple, but the front desk checks a few things every time.

Bring these three things:

1. A valid, government-issued photo ID that shows you are 21 or older.
2. A payment method the store accepts, since card options can be limited.
3. Your questions, because budtenders can walk you through the menu.

Expect an ID check at the door. Staff verify age before anyone reaches the retail floor. Keep your purchase within the daily limit, and store products sealed until you get home.

One rule still trips up newcomers more than any other.

The Federal Rule Every Shopper Should Know

Cannabis is legal for adults in Montana, but it remains illegal under federal law. That gap creates real limits, and ignoring it causes problems.

Do not carry cannabis onto federal property. That includes Malmstrom Air Force Base, national parks, post offices, and other federal land. Federal employees and service members face their own strict rules, regardless of state law.

A few more points keep you on the safe side. Do not consume in public. Do not drive after using. Do not carry products across state lines, even into another legal state.

A few common questions clear up the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is recreational marijuana legal in Montana? Yes. Montana voters approved recreational cannabis in 2020, and adult-use sales began January 1, 2022. Adults 21 and older can buy from licensed dispensaries in green counties. Sales stay illegal under federal law.

How many dispensaries are in Montana? Montana has hundreds of licensed dispensaries statewide. The precise number changes as licenses are issued and renewed. Check the state Cannabis Control Division’s official licensed dispensary list for the current, accurate count.

Are recreational dispensaries legal in Great Falls? Yes. Great Falls sits in Cascade County, a green county that approved adult-use sales. A 2022 court ruling confirmed recreational dispensaries can operate inside city limits. Shoppers must be 21 or older with valid ID.

Are Montana dispensaries open to out-of-state visitors? Yes. Any adult 21 or older with a valid, government-issued ID can buy recreational cannabis at a licensed Montana dispensary. You cannot legally carry the products out of the state afterward.

Is there a limit on how much I can buy? Yes. A person 21 or older may buy up to one ounce of usable marijuana per day under Montana’s adult-use rules. Registered medical patients follow separate, higher limits.

The Bottom Line

Montana’s recreational market is large but uneven. Hundreds of dispensaries operate statewide, yet only green counties allow adult-use sales, and taxes shift by county. Knowing those rules turns a confusing search into a quick, confident trip.

This article is educational only. It is not legal advice, and recreational sales are for adults 21 and older. Cannabis remains illegal under federal law, so always follow current state and local rules.

Find a Location

Ready to shop? Infinity Wellness is your local guide to adult-use cannabis in Great Falls, with two stores open daily. See both dispensary locations and hours, then open a store menu to check today’s lineup before you visit.

Cited Sources