Montana recreational marijuana sales increase in February

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The sale of recreational marijuana in Montana increased slightly in February while medical marijuana sales declined compared to January's numbers, according to the state Department of Revenue.

About $13 million in adult-use cannabis products were sold from Jan. 31 through Feb. 27, up from $12.8 million in the first 30 days it could be legally sold, the agency said.

Medical marijuana sales dropped from $9.7 million in January to $9.2 million in February.

The 20 percent tax on adult-use marijuana products has brought in about $5.1 million to the state while the 4 percent medical marijuana tax has totaled over $757,000 so far this year.

State fiscal analysts projected the recreational cannabis market could see $130 million in sales this year, but after the first two months, sales are on pace to reach $150 million, the Montana State News Bureau reports.