Montana Medical Marijuana Card Requirements & Qualifying Conditions

In Montana medical marijuana patients below 18 can get cannabis treatment if they have a qualifying medical condition. However, minors cannot submit a medical card application on their own. Instead, their parent or legal guardian must consent to the cannabis treatment and serve as the child’s designated purchaser (caregiver).

The qualifying patient’s parent or legal guardian must submit the following documents and information:

1. Proof of legal guardianship. For example:

• Birth certificate
• Court document

2. Consent to fingerprint form. (For legal guardians or parents who intend to cultivate cannabis on the minor’s behalf.)

Additionally, minor patients must receive a complete and signed physician statement to confirm that they are eligible for medical cannabis. The physician statement for minors differs from the one adults get. How? Two physicians must fill out the physician statement form unless the minor’s treating physician is an epileptologist, neurologist, or oncologist.

Adult patients can choose up to two designated purchasers (caregivers) to buy medical marijuana on their behalf.

Montana medical marijuana laws dictate that caregivers must be at least 21.

Caregivers must provide the following documentation and information:

1. Proof of Montana residency. For example,

• Driver’s license
• State or tribal ID card
• Passport

2. Birth certificate (If the qualifying patient is younger than 18)

3. The caregiver’s date of birth (For adult patient caregivers)

It is worth noting that a qualifying patient must register you as their designated purchaser during their application or later when they receive their medical marijuana card. Therefore, as a caregiver, you should provide the patient with the information highlighted above.

Visiting patients can’t access medical cannabis in Montana with out-of-state MMJ cards – there’s currently no reciprocity. However, those holding a Montana medical card can use it in some states. States that recognize out-of-state MMJ cards include:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Hawaii
• Maine
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• Utah
• Washington, D.C.

Different states have different reciprocity laws for out-of-state medical cards. So, it’s crucial to understand the rules before traveling. For instance, Hawaii requires registration for an out-of-state card before allowing access. In contrast, Montana cardholders visiting Maine can use their cards directly at dispensaries. 

To avoid potential inconveniences, you should research thoroughly beforehand. Understanding each state’s laws on out-of-state MMJ cards is necessary when you’re a traveling patient.

You can expect to receive your Montana medical card within 30 days after submitting your application. However, you can download a temporary card immediately after completing your application. This printed temporary card allows you to purchase medical marijuana from dispensaries while you wait for the official card to arrive in the mail.

You must be at least 18 to qualify for the Montana medical card. Minors (patients below 18) also qualify as long as their parents or legal guardians consent to the treatment and serve as caregivers (designated purchasers).

You can grow four mature plants and four seedlings with a Montana medical card. However, the plants cannot be visible to the public. Recreational users can cultivate half of what medical users can: two mature plants and two seedlings.

No. Montana does not accept out-of-state medical cards. Only Montana residents can obtain and use the state-issued medical cannabis card to legally buy, possess, and use MMJ.