Montana lawmakers are fast-tracking a deeply flawed bill, SB 508, that would impose zero-tolerance DUI penalties — including mandatory jail time — for drivers under 21 who are completely sober.

SB 508 has already passed the Senate (42-7) and is moving quickly. If you live in Montana, lawmakers need to hear from you now!

SB 508, introduced by Willis Curdy (D), creates an extreme standard for drivers under 21, making it a DUI offense to have any detectable THC or certain metabolites in their system. Montana currently sets a threshold of 5 nanograms per milliliter for THC-related DUIs, which is already unscientific and likely to ensnare sober drivers. But SB 508 goes even further, and removes any such limit for young drivers.

Since THC and metabolites can remain in the bloodstream and urine long after its effects have worn off, this approach would criminalize and incarcerate young Montanans who are completely unimpaired.

This bill does not improve road safety. It acts as a backdoor penalty for underage cannabis use, despite Montana already increasing penalties for minor possession under SB 132. If lawmakers want to address underage use, they should do so transparently.

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On July 31, Gov. John Carney signed a bill into law that expands decriminalization for cannabis possession of one ounce or less to those under 21. The law became effective upon the governor's signature.

This important legislation will save young adults from life-altering criminal convictions, which can close the door on opportunities including jobs, housing, and higher education. For more information on Delaware's decriminalization law, check out our summary here.

In other news, the adult-use legalization bill, HB 110, will pick up where it left off in the House Appropriations Committee in 2020. You can read our summary of HB 110 here.

Please ask your representative to support HB 110 to end cannabis prohibition and replace it with a system where cannabis is regulated similarly to alcohol.

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