Veto override push on long-debated marijuana money bill falls short

A veto override effort on a much-debated marijuana revenue bill that initially passed the Montana Legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support last year has failed, according to poll results released Friday afternoon.

The override poll, conducted by a mail ballot by the Montana secretary of state’s office over the last month, attracted only 41 “yes” votes from state representatives and 24 from state senators — well short of the 67-vote and 34-vote two-thirds margins required for a successful veto override.

An additional 14 representatives and 2 senators voted against an override. The state’s remaining lawmakers didn’t respond to the poll, which has been the subject of long-running litigation stemming from the timing of Gov. Greg Gianforte’s initial veto.