Montana Medical Marijuana

Later, a ballot initiative called I148 or The Medical Marijuana Act in 2004, led the way to the legalization of medical marijuana in the state. This marked the commencement of Montana’s medical marijuana program. Thus in Montana, medical marijuana became legal for qualifying patients in the state. However, this move met with serious restrictions and limitations later in 2011, none of which proved to be entirely successful. There were some senate bills that did manage to impose restrictions though.

For example, the 423 was approved by the Montana legislature which set out an altogether new medical marijuana program for Montana, with more restrictions placed on the use of marijuana and more eligibility requirements for patients, physicians and caregivers. This led to widespread disapproval of the new from a portion of the citizens of Montana, more specifically the patient population.

In 2015, petitions were filed on the ballot by a medical marijuana patient for the legalization of marijuana, the approval of which would have allowed eligible adults to freely purchase, possess and use marijuana. However, it did not meet the required signature majority and thus was defeated.

More regulations were placed upon the consumption of medical marijuana later in 2011. For example, dispensaries were limited to 3 users and physicians or doctors recommending medical marijuana to more than 25 patients in a year were required to be reviewed by the state.

Later in 2016, Initiative 182 was passed with an approval of 56.2% of the voters, which effectively repealed and removed the restrictions imposed through previous senate bills and the Montana medical marijuana laws were reinstated. As of now, qualifying patients diagnosed with a debilitating medical illness are allowed to use marijuana therapeutically for medicinal purposes with a certified recommendation by a physician.

The Montana medical marijuana laws however strictly regulate the possession, sale and manufacture of marijuana. As of 2004, Montana has decriminalized the use of medical marijuana depending on the circumstances.

In order to qualify for medical marijuana use in Montana, you must possess a current “registry identification card” provided by the state. You will be eligible to obtain registration under the Montana medical marijuana program if you suffer from any of the below debilitating medical conditions:

• Chronic pain
• Crohn’s disease
• Seizures
• Nausea
• Muscles spasms in persistent severe nature
• HIV/AIDS
• Cancer
• Cachexia
• Glaucoma
• Multiple sclerosis
• Epilepsy
• Peripheral neuropathy

The law includes other medical conditions which need to be treated with medical marijuana according to the professional opinion of a licensed physician.

In order to become eligible to cultivate marijuana under Montana medical marijuana regulations, qualifying patients or their caregivers are required to register with the Quality Assurance Division of the Department of Public Health and Human Services as well.  A single caregiver is not allowed to provide for more than two patients at a time. If the caregiver is also a patient, he or she is allowed to care for 3 patients.

Coming to the possession limits, a registered cardholder under the medical marijuana program of Montana, who has named a provider can possess up to one ounce of usable marijuana. If the person has not named a provider, he or she may possess up to 4 mature marijuana plants, 4 seedlings of the plant and the prescribed amount of usable marijuana permissible by the department.

In case of two or more registered cardholders that share a common residence, and neither of them have named providers, they may cultivate up to 8 mature marijuana plants, up to 8 seedlings and also the prescribed amount of usable marijuana as allowed by the department.

Violation and Penalties

In case of illegal possession, first conviction penalties include a fine anywhere between $100 and $500 plus a maximum of 6 months of jail time

Subsequent conviction penalties include a fine of up to $1,000 and a maximum of 3 years of jail time.

Illegal sale of marijuana invites a heavy fine of up to $50,000 and imprisonment from one year to even life imprisonment. In case of selling to a minor, there will be an additional fine of up to $50,000 or at least 2 years of jail time or both.

In case of manufacture, up to one pound or 30 plants of marijuana will invite a penalty of up to $5,000 fine or up to 10 years of jail time or both.

For more than one pound or 30 plants, the fine will be up to $50,000 and between 2 years and life imprisonment as additional penalty.

FINAL VERDICT

Subsequent convictions include penalties of up to $100,000 fine and jail time twice the applicable amount imposed during first offense.