Understanding the Montana Medical Marijuana Program

Related

• How to Get a Medical Card in Montana
• Montana Qualifying Conditions & Requirements

The Montana Medical Marijuana Program

The Cannabis Control Division oversees the Montana Medical Marijuana Program (MMP). This regulatory body plays a pivotal role in ensuring safe and legal access to medical cannabis for qualifying patients.

The division issues medical cards to eligible patients who meet the Montana medical marijuana requirements. Additionally, it maintains a confidential registry of patients who receive identification cards.

Beyond patient registration, the Cannabis Control Division licenses and regulates the cultivation, manufacture, transport, and sale of marijuana. It issues various cannabis license types, including cultivator, manufacturer, dispensary (adult-use and medical), testing laboratory, transporter, and combined-use licenses.

The Montana Medical Marijuana Program aims to provide a safe and regulated framework for patients to access medical marijuana. In addition, it ensures the integrity of the industry and the protection of public health.

Qualifying Conditions and Requirements

You must be a resident of Montana ailing from an illness on the list of qualifying conditions to be eligible for medical marijuana.

The qualifying conditions for a medical card in Montana include:

• A central nervous disorder resulting in chronic, painful spasticity or muscle spasms
• Admittance into hospice care
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Cancer
• Crohn’s disease
• Epilepsy or an intractable seizure disorder
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Intractable nausea or vomiting
• Multiple sclerosis
• Painful peripheral neuropathy
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Severe chronic pain

Aside from the requirements above, a medical marijuana doctor in Montana must issue you with a complete Physician Statement (Cannabis certification or recommendation.) The certification confirms that you have a qualifying medical condition. After getting certified, you must register on the Montana Medical Marijuana Registry.

During your application on the registry, you must provide the following documentation:

• Passport-style photo
• Proof of Montana residency
• A complete physician statement

Moreover, you must pay $20 in state fees for the Montana medical marijuana card. If you lose your medical marijuana card, it costs $10 to replace it.

How to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Montana

Applying for a medical marijuana card in Montana is essentially a two-step process:

1. Get your Medical Marijuana Recommendation:

• Book your appointment with one of our Montana medical marijuana doctors.
• Attend your online marijuana evaluation over a video call.
• Receive your complete and signed physician recommendation.

2. Register with the Montana Medical Marijuana Registry.

• Complete the medical marijuana card registration and pay the $20 application fee.
• Print your Temporary medical marijuana card.
• Receive your medical marijuana card within 30 days.

Quick Med Cards is the cheapest and fastest medical card provider in Montana. Schedule an appointment with one of our Montana medical marijuana doctors today to get started.

Renewing your Montana Medical Marijuana Card

Renewing your Montana medical marijuana card is similar to the initial application process. You can begin the renewal process 60 days before your current card expires. Follow these instructions to renew your medical card online.

1. Schedule an appointment with an MMJ doctor in Montana.

2. Attend your cannabis evaluation over a video call.

3. Receive your complete and signed physician statement.

4. Log into your Medical Marijuana Registry account.

5. Complete your renewal application.

6. Pay $20 for your medical marijuana card.

7. Print your temporary medical card.

8. Receive your new Montana medical card within 30 days.

You can use Quick Med Cards to renew your Montana medical marijuana card even if you used another provider previously. Choose the most affordable and fastest renewal option in the state.

Marijuana Dispensaries in Montana

Montana dispensaries provide access to marijuana for both medical and recreational consumers. Here’s what you need to know:

Types of Dispensaries: There are medical-only or adult-use dispensaries. Medical-only dispensaries cater exclusively to registered cardholders. Meanwhile, adult-use dispensaries serve both cardholders and recreational consumers.

Age Restrictions: The minimum age requirement to access Montana dispensaries in Montana is 21 for recreational users while cardholders must be at least 18. Minors with a Montana medical card may also get into dispensaries in the company of their legal guardian.

Access for Medical Cardholders: The Montana medical card enables patients to buy medical cannabis from any dispensary in the state. Medical users can also receive marijuana deliveries from dispensaries.

Adult-Use Marijuana Availability: Recreational marijuana sales are legal in “green” counties where voters supported Initiative 190 in November 2020. However, there are no adult-use sales in “red” counties where the majority opposed the initiative.

Finding Dispensaries: You can find a link to a list of licensed marijuana dispensaries in Montana from our resources section at the bottom of this page.

Whether you’re a cardholder or an adult-use consumer, Montana dispensaries offer a wide selection of quality cannabis products.

Recreational Marijuana in Montana

Montana legalized marijuana for adults aged 21 and over on January 1, 2021. A year later, on January 1, 2022, recreational, or adult-use, marijuana began.

The state’s 56 counties are split into “green” and “red” based on their stance on Initiative 190. In green counties, where voters supported the initiative, adult-use sales flourish. Conversely, red counties, where the majority opposed the initiative, only allow medical marijuana sales.

Since legalization, recreational sales have boomed in Montana. In March 2024 alone, Montana dispensaries sold $22,593,299 worth of recreational marijuana.

Benefits of a Medical Marijuana Card in Montana

Why get a medical card if recreational cannabis is available? Here are 7 benefits cardholders enjoy over recreational users in Montana.

1. Significant Cost Savings. The state tax on medical cannabis is only 4% while it is 20% for recreational cannabis in Montana. With a medical card, you get access to much cheaper marijuana and save a lot of cash in the process.

2. Cultivate more marijuana plants. You can grow up to four mature plants and four seedlings for personal use, which is double the limit for recreational users.

3. Access to Higher Potency Products. Montana marijuana laws impose a potency cap on adult-use cannabis. However, with a medical card, you have access to more potent medical-grade marijuana strains and formulations that can effectively treat your medical condition.

4. Expert Guidance. Receive personalized medical advice and support from a licensed marijuana doctor, ensuring your cannabis regimen works to improve your health.

5. Nationwide Reciprocity. Your Montana medical card grants you access to medical programs in other states.

6. No Age Restrictions. The age limit for adult-use cannabis is 21. Meanwhile, cardholders can get medical marijuana from the age of 18. Also, eligible minors can get medical cannabis under the supervision of their parent or legal guardian. 

7. Unrestricted County Access. Buy medical marijuana in any county within Montana, including those that prohibit recreational sales.

Montana Medical Marijuana Laws

Montana legalized medical marijuana in 2004. Years later the state legalized adult-use marijuana for individuals 21 and older through Initiative 190 (I-190). This landmark initiative paved the way for recreational cannabis sales to start on January 1, 2022, in counties where most citizens voted for I-190.

Key aspects of Montana’s marijuana laws include:

Possession Limits:

• Cardholders can possess up to 1 ounce of usable marijuana, 8 grams of concentrates, and 800 milligrams of THC edibles. (The same limit applies to recreational users.)
• They can buy a maximum of 5 ounces per month and no more than 1 ounce daily.
• Cardholders can petition the department for an exception to the monthly purchase limit if their condition warrants it.

Cultivation Rights:

• Cardholders can cultivate up to four mature marijuana plants and four seedlings in their home. (Recreational users can grow half of this amount).

While Montana’s laws have expanded access to cannabis, certain restrictions remain in place:

Prohibited Activities:

• Operating a vehicle or motorized transport while under the influence of marijuana.
• Smoking or consuming marijuana in public places, on school grounds, or in correctional facilities.
• Performing solvent-based extractions without a license.

Workplace Considerations:

• Employers may prohibit marijuana use, discipline employees for violating workplace drug policies, and decline to hire individuals based on marijuana use.

Common Questions about the Montana Medical Marijuana Program

Do you still have questions about the Montana Medical Marijuana Program? You may find your answer below.