Senate Bill 423 took effect on July 1, 2011, changing the application process by requiring a Montana driver’s license or state-issued identification card. The bill states that a second physician’s opinion or visit is required when the patient’s debilitating condition is chronic pan. The Montana Medical Marijuana Program has undergone several changes since originally passed. Several of the the original laws were revoked in 2011 by Senate Bill 423, including the banning of dispensaries. New laws were issued in the year 2011 and 2012, which established the rules for providers who may supply a limited number of patients with medicine but may not be paid for their services.
Caregiver Laws
A caregiver in the state of Montana is called a provider. A provider must be at least 18 years of age and have no record of any misdemeanor drug convictions or felony convictions of any type. A provider must be registered with the department of Public Health and Human Services to legally cultivate and assist qualifying patients with the use of medical marijuana. The law requires a cardholder to either grow their own or select a provider, but not both. Cardholders are not allowed to provide marijuana to any person unless the cardholder is also registered as a provider, and the recipient is registered as that cardholder’s patient.The Cardholder and the provider will both have a registry identification card to possess and cultivate marijuana which is required to possess at all times
Dispensary Laws
There are no dispensaries in the state of Montana. Patient can obtain medications if they grow it themselves or if they designate a registered provider.
Growing Laws
A grower in the state of Montana is called a provider, or a marijuana-infused products provider, and if the cardholder (patient) would like to be one, he can also be a grower on his own . A cardholder who decides to grow his own cannot designate a provider or MIPP at the same time. A provider/MIPP must be 18 years of age or above and must have no record of any misdemeanor drug convictions or felony convictions. A provider/MIPP must be registered with the Department of Public Health and Human Services to legally cultivate, grow, or manufacture medicinal marijuana for patients who have a qualifying condition. Location of cultivation must not be within 1,000 feet of schools or playgrounds, or within 100 feet of a youth center, public swimming pool, or video arcade facility. Providers will be limited to possession of twelve seedlings, four mature flowering plants, and one ounce of usable marijuana per approved registered cardholder.