Medical marijuana has been legal in Montana since 2004, but the program has had some serious ups and downs. As the number of medical marijuana patients in the state swelled to nearly 31,000, the legislature attempted to repeal Montana's medical marijuana legalization.
The effort was passed by the legislature in 2011, but it was vetoed by the governor. So, instead, the legislature placed such severe restrictions on the program that enrollment dropped to only 9,000 by 2014.
In response, three ballot initiatives were proposed: one to loosen the medical program's rules, one to fully legalize it for Montanans over 21, and one to end the medical marijuana program. Voters chose to loosen the medical marijuana rules with the passage of I-182.
SB 265 made even more changes to the program, allowing patients to untether from their cannabis providers and easing access for thousands of new patients. And on November 3, 2020, voters legalized marijuana with the passage of I-90, which also establishes a 20% tax on recreational sales.
Yes. As of Nov. 3, 2020, voters passed recreational marijuana via 1-90. The state has until Oct. 2021 to draft the rules for sales and regulation.
Yes, Montana's list of qualifying conditions is a bit more restrictive than other states:
The state doesn't set a specific time limit, but processes cards in the order received. They recommend that patients use ACH or credit card to pay their fees for faster processing.
No, it's not legal to consume cannabis in public in Montana, whether for recreational or medical purposes. The only really safe place for a patient to consume marijuana in Montana is at home.
Your card will be valid for a year, unless your physician recommended a shorter time.
If you've designated someone else as your provider, then you won't be allowed to grow your own. If you don't have a provider, then you are allowed to have 4 mature plants, 4 seedlings and you are allowed to possess usable cannabis in the amounts listed above.
Adults 21 and over can grow the same amount for recreational purposes.
No. Montana only opens their medical marijuana program to Montana state residents with a Montana State issued ID card or driver's license.
A registered cardholder is allowed to possess
* One ounce of flower OR
* Eight grams of concentrate OR
* 800mg of THC infused into products or edibles OR
* 16 half gram vape cartridges OR
* Eight one gram vape cartridges
Recreational users are subject to the same limitations.
No. Insurance companies won't cover medical marijuana because it's still on the Schedule 1 list.
Registered cardholders who are only growing for their own use aren't required to do a background check. Your name won't be put on a list for law enforcement. Law enforcement has to call the department to check patient status.
You'll need a state-issued driver's license or ID or a U.S. Passport.
Yes, but there are extra requirements. The parent or guardian will have to apply for the child, and if they are going to grow for their child, they'll need to register as a Marijuana Infused Products Provider or name a provider on behalf of their child. They'll also need two separate physician recommendations on this special form.
No. Anyone under the supervision of the Department of Corrections is not eligible to participate.
Yes, it's 100% true that in Montana, if a cardholder's license is taken away for DUI, the cardholder will have to surrender their MMJ card as well.
Only if you submit a signed Landlord Permission Form with your application materials.