Tribal ID Discount on Cannabis Products in Montana

Montana’s cannabis market has evolved quickly since legalization opened the door for both medical patients and adult-use customers. What started as a cautious rollout has become a statewide network of growers, retailers, and consumers who care about quality and transparency.

Yet the experience still varies widely across communities, especially for those who face economic or geographic barriers to access.

Across the state, seven federally recognized tribes help define Montana’s cultural and agricultural landscape: the Blackfeet Nation, Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Assiniboine, Gros Ventre, Salish, and Kootenai.

Their relationship to the land and to local economies runs deep, but participation in the legal cannabis market remains uneven. Many reservations sit far from licensed dispensaries, and travel or higher retail taxes can stretch limited budgets. Some tribal members still face hesitation when using a tribal ID for a simple purchase, even though it carries full legal weight.

We started Elevated with a simple goal: to make Montana cannabis accessible, local, and fair for everyone. As a Montana-born company operated by locals, we believe cannabis should serve every community, not just the ones closest to major cities. To help close the access gap, we proudly offer a 10% discount to customers who present a valid Tribal ID at checkout, recognizing and honoring the state’s Indigenous communities.

Our budtenders live in the same towns as our customers, and every product we grow and make stays true to our Montana roots. That local connection guides everything we do, from supporting veterans and students to showing respect for the tribal communities that have always been part of Montana’s story.

In the sections ahead, we’ll share how the Tribal ID Discount Program works, who qualifies, how it pairs with medical card savings, and which Elevated products offer the best value for tribal members.

The Cannabis Landscape on Montana’s Reservations

Access to cannabis in Montana appears straightforward at the state level, but tribal communities experience a more complex reality. Montana law permits both medical and adult-use cannabis through a well-established regulatory system. 

Yet tribal sovereignty gives each nation the authority to craft its own rules, creating a layered framework that can vary from one reservation border to the next.

Legal Patchwork and Local Barriers

Montana voters approved adult-use cannabis through Initiative 190 in 2020, following years of medical-only access.

Adults 21 and older can now purchase, possess, and grow limited amounts under state law. Within reservation boundaries, however, tribal governments maintain jurisdiction over how cannabis is cultivated, distributed, and consumed.

Some tribes have taken independent action. The Blackfeet Nation Tribal Business Council voted to decriminalize medical cannabis possession for its members. Others, such as the Fort Belknap Indian Community and the Chippewa Cree Tribe, received federal approval through the USDA Tribal Hemp Production Program, giving them the right to regulate hemp within their jurisdictions. These developments show how sovereignty shapes each community’s approach to cannabis governance.

This patchwork also affects retail access. Some dispensaries near reservation borders act cautiously when serving tribal members because overlapping state, county, and tribal rules can cause uncertainty around ID verification and reporting requirements. 

That caution sometimes translates into hesitation at the counter when a customer presents a tribal ID, which can make the purchasing process unnecessarily complicated.

Economic Challenges and Inequitable Access



Even when laws align, the economics of access remain uneven. Many reservations are geographically isolated, making travel to the nearest licensed dispensary time-consuming and costly. Recreational cannabis carries a 20 percent state tax, while medical purchases are taxed at only 4 percent under Montana’s cannabis statutes. 

For communities with higher rates of poverty and limited transportation, these costs can quickly add up.

Members of Indigenous communities have shared online that they sometimes hesitate to use their tribal IDs for cannabis purchases, worrying that staff might not recognize them as valid identification. These experiences reveal how access barriers extend beyond price, blending issues of identity, trust, and consistency in enforcement.

Discount programs that recognize tribal IDs as valid proof of eligibility help counteract these inequities. When combined with medical card savings, they make cannabis more affordable while affirming the legitimacy of tribal identification across Montana’s growing cannabis market.

Elevated’s Montana Roots and Community Commitment

Elevated was founded with a simple purpose: to keep Montana cannabis authentic, local, and connected to the people who make this state what it is. From seed to storefront, every decision reflects a belief that quality grows best in familiar soil and that community care should guide every customer interaction. This local focus extends naturally to Montana’s tribal communities, where cannabis access, employment, and cultural understanding intersect in meaningful ways.

Locally Grown, Community Driven

Elevated’s guiding principle has always been Made by Montanans, for Montanans. Every flower strain, edible, and concentrate originates from in-state cultivation facilities and in-house kitchens designed to maintain freshness and transparency. That local chain of production ensures jobs, reinvestment, and accountability stay within the borders of the state.

Today, Elevated operates in more than eighteen towns across Montana, creating a network of access that stretches from major cities to small communities. 

Locations in Great Falls, Havre, Harlem, Wolf Point, and Sidney are especially close to several reservations, helping reduce long travel times for tribal customers. 

By keeping operations rooted in Montana’s geography, Elevated maintains a presence where it matters most, near the people who have historically had the fewest retail options.

Employment and Representation

Many members of Elevated’s team trace their roots to nearby reservations or identify as Indigenous Montanans. This representation within the workforce builds a stronger cultural bridge between staff and customers. 

It also ensures that conversations around tribal IDs, cultural respect, and local traditions are handled with genuine understanding rather than policy recitation.

Every visit to an Elevated store centers on person-to-person connection. There are no digital menus or impersonal kiosks. Instead, budtenders guide each guest through strain profiles, dosage suggestions, and effect expectations.

That personal approach helps normalize everyday use of tribal identification, turning what could be an uncertain interaction into a moment of welcome and respect.

Support Beyond Discounts

Elevated’s commitment extends far beyond sales. The company regularly hosts community food drives, contributes to local veteran outreach, and supports tribal participation in regional events that highlight Montana’s shared culture. 

The same care that powers its veteran discount program also drives its tribal ID discount, both built on the belief that service and respect should be rewarded, not overlooked.

By keeping production local, staffing inclusive, and outreach sincere, Elevated demonstrates that Montana cannabis can be both premium and personal. The goal is more than offering great products, it’s creating a model of access that treats every Montanan, from college student to tribal elder, with the same sense of belonging.

Understanding the Tribal ID Cannabis Discount

Elevated’s Tribal ID Discount Program was created to make cannabis more accessible for Indigenous customers who have historically faced higher costs and inconsistent acceptance of tribal identification. This initiative reflects a broader goal of fairness within Montana’s legal cannabis system, where verification and pricing should never become barriers to participation.

Who Qualifies for the Discount

Any tribal member with a valid, government-issued tribal ID qualifies for the discount at participating Elevated locations. Staff are trained to recognize tribal identification as equal to a Montana driver’s license or state ID for purchase verification. 

No additional documentation or registration is required. The goal is to make every visit comfortable and efficient while honoring tribal IDs as legitimate, federally recognized proof of identity.

Elevated also protects customer privacy. Tribal IDs are visually checked for verification, but the information is not scanned, copied, or stored in digital databases. 

This approach was shaped by feedback from community members who expressed concern about unnecessary data collection when shopping for cannabis. By limiting data handling to what is legally required, Elevated ensures that personal information remains private and that every guest feels respected and secure.

How Much You Can Save

The discount structure is designed to make a tangible difference in total purchase cost. Medical cardholders already benefit from a reduced state tax rate of 4 percent, compared with 20 percent for recreational customers. 

The Tribal ID Discount provides an additional in-store reduction on qualifying products, which compounds the savings when combined with medical pricing.

For example, a product that retails for forty dollars in the recreational market could cost around thirty-one to thirty-three dollars after the combined benefits. 

These savings make cannabis more affordable for patients and consumers who rely on it for wellness, while reinforcing Elevated’s mission to create access that is both fair and inclusive across Montana.

Smooth Checkout Tips

Claiming the discount at any of the Elevated dispensaries is super easy. If you are still hesitant and wondering how to make the encounter as stress-free as possible, just follow these steps.



• Present the tribal ID confidently to a staff member
• Tell the budtender if you are a registered medical user
• Ask about the discount and work out the exact savings
• In case of any confusion, ask for the manager

What’s Available at a Discount

The Tribal ID Discount Program applies across Elevated’s full menu, giving qualifying shoppers access to locally produced flower, edibles, and concentrates at a reduced cost. 

Every product is grown or crafted in Montana by Elevated’s own cultivation and bakery teams, ensuring freshness, consistency, and safety. The following highlights some of the most popular items that qualify for the discount, available year-round in participating locations.

Premium Montana-Grown Flower



Elevated’s flower is cultivated in small batches using clean, pesticide-free growing practices. Each strain is verified for cannabinoid and terpene profiles, providing transparency and predictability from one harvest to the next. Every jar and pre-roll reflects the care of Montana growers who understand how to balance potency with quality.

Recommended strains:

• Euphoria  – 26% THC: A bright, citrus-forward hybrid known for its mild aroma and balanced effects. Ideal for daytime focus and mood elevation without heavy sedation.
  
  
• Bruce Banner – 30% THC: A potent hybrid with rich terpene content that delivers strong body relaxation paired with a clear mental calm. Suited for evening use or deep stress relief.

Edibles from Elevated’s Bakery

Elevated’s bakery team produces all edibles in Montana kitchens using precise formulation standards for consistent dosing and dependable flavor. The product line includes gummies, chocolates, and baked goods made with full-spectrum cannabis oil for a balanced experience.

Recommended picks:

High & Mighty Caramel – 100mg THC: Smooth, buttery caramels with evenly distributed cannabinoids for predictable effects. Great for discreet consumption.



• Chew & Chill Gummies – 100mg THC: A smooth, flavorful gummy with a steady, easygoing profile that many customers enjoy for its consistency and balanced feel. The soft texture and reliable onset make it a simple, go-to option for anyone who prefers an edible that’s straightforward and pleasant.



Each edible batch is tested for potency and purity. Budtenders are always available to guide customers on dosing and onset times, reminding everyone to start low and increase gradually for optimal results.

Cartridges and Concentrates

Elevated’s concentrates and cartridges are made using solvent-free extraction to preserve flavor and potency while maintaining clean, residue-free quality. The lineup includes live resins, shatter, and distillate cartridges that highlight the terpene character of each strain.

Recommended options:



• Premium Cartridge Pineapple Express – 85% THC
  A smooth, tropical sativa cart known for an energetic and uplifting profile.



• Budder – 72.6% THC
  Crisp and terpene-rich, this concentrate provides a strong effect suited for people who consume cannabis as a daily ritual.

All cartridges and concentrates qualify for the Tribal ID Discount, offering the same savings as Elevated’s flower and edibles. 



Elevated Support, Local Pride

The Tribal ID Discount exists because equality should be practical, not theoretical. A valid ID ought to open a door, not start a conversation about permission. Elevated chose to fix that gap the way it fixes everything else: by handling it directly.

When a tribal member shops at Elevated, they meet staff who understand what that ID represents and why it matters. They find Montana-grown cannabis priced fairly, served by people who live in the same towns and drive the same roads.

That is how trust is built, through small, consistent acts that never need to be announced. Visit your nearest Elevated store and see what fairness looks like when it’s built into the experience, not added on top of it.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. Elevated’s Tribal ID Discount applies only at participating Montana locations and may be subject to change based on local or state regulations. Cannabis products are intended for use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Please consume responsibly and in accordance with Montana law. Elevated’s products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For questions about eligibility or availability, contact your nearest Elevated location.

References



Ballotpedia. (2020). Montana I-190, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020).

Great Falls Tribune. (2018, October 9). Blackfeet Tribal Council decriminalizes medical marijuana, declares state of drug/alcohol abuse emergency.

LegalClarity. (2025, August 17). Is weed legal in Montana? Recreational and medical laws.

Marijuana Policy Project. (n.d.). Summary of I-190 implementation bill [PDF].

Montana Department of Revenue. (n.d.). Cannabis Control.

Montana Department of Revenue. (n.d.). Cannabis sales reports.

Montana Department of Revenue. (n.d.). Cannabis tax.

Montana Free Press. (2020). Montana’s 2020 ballot measures overview.

Montana Secretary of State. (2020). The complete text of Initiative No. 190 (I-190): Montana Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act [PDF].

National Archives and Records Administration, Office of the Federal Register. (n.d.). 7 CFR Part 990 Subpart B: State and Tribal Hemp Production Plans (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations).

Ouellet, N. (2018, October 9). Blackfeet decriminalize medical marijuana. Montana Public Radio.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service. (2024, August 28). Status of state and tribal hemp production plans for USDA approval.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service. (n.d.). Hemp production program overview.

Law Cornell Legal Information Institute. (n.d.). 7 CFR Part 990: Domestic hemp production program.