Ronan council limits number of dispensaries to one
BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 3 months AGO
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March 2023, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. | July 3, 2025 12:00 AM
At last week’s Ronan City Council meeting, members agreed that Ronan’s population – estimated at 1,955 – doesn’t warrant the licensing of a second marijuana provider within the city limits.
The city’s business regulations stipulates that there can be one provider for each 1,000 people in Ronan. Currently, that provider is the Hi-Line Company, located on Hwy. 93.
A second purveyor, Jim Soloman of Lolo, had sought permission at a previous meeting to open another dispensary by July 1 – the date at which the number of marijuana outlets in Montana will be frozen. One of Hi-Line's owners, Chuck Holman, had also expressed interest in the second license.
A vote on wages for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, effective date July 1, 2025, passed unanimously.
Resolution 2025-07, a request to annex a five-acre parcel of land owned by Life for the Nations Fellowship, a Montana non-profit, was approved by the council. Public hearings will be held to discuss usage and taxation on the property.
Council members also unanimously approved Resolution 2025-08, calling for the general election to be held via mail ballot.
They also approved the appointment of Iris Cornelius to the Ronan Police Commission to serve out the remainder of Robert Stentz’s term, which expires on May 30, 2028.
Ronan’s next city council meeting will be July 8 in Ronan City Hall at 6 p.m.
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