Supreme Court clears way for override poll of vetoed marijuana funds bill

The Montana Supreme Court on Friday afternoon denied the State of Montana’s request to pause a lower court decision ordering the governor and secretary of state to send out an override poll for a marijuana fund redistribution bill Gov. Greg Gianforte vetoed at the end of the 2023 legislative session.

Gianforte and Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen officially filed their notice of appeal on Wednesday of Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Mike Menahan’s district court rulings, which said the two officials have “interrupted the political process in an impermissible way” by blocking a chance for lawmakers to override the Senate Bill 442 veto.

On Thursday, the two defendants asked the Supreme Court to pause Menahan’s order pending the full appeal, arguing that if the override poll was sent out and lawmakers override the veto, their legal claims will be rendered moot.