Approved Conditions: Cancer, glaucoma, or positive status for HIV/AIDS, or the treatment of these conditions; a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, including seizures caused by epilepsy, or severe or persistent muscle spasms, including spasms caused by multiple sclerosis or Crohn’s disease; admittance to hospice care; or any other medical condition or treatment for a medical condition adopted by the department by rule. Pain and PTSD added with the Nov. 8, 2016 passage of Initiative 182.

Possession/Cultivation: “Registered cardholders are limited to 12 seedlings (<12″), 4 mature flowering plants, and 1 ounce of usable marijuana. If a registered cardholder assigns a provider, they cannot grow for themselves.”

Amended:SB 423 — Passed on Apr. 28, 2011 and transmitted to the Governor on May 3, 2011
Effective: July 1, 2011

SB 423 changes the application process to require a Montana driver’s license or state issued ID card. A second physician is required to confirm a chronic pain diagnosis.

“A provider or marijuana-infused products provider may assist a maximum of three registered cardholders…” and “may not accept anything of value, including monetary remuneration, for any services or products provided to a registered cardholder.”

Approved Conditions: Cancer, glaucoma, or positive status for HIV/AIDS when the condition or disease results in symptoms that seriously and adversely affect the patient’s health status; Cachexia or wasting syndrome; Severe, chronic pain that is persistent pain of severe intensity that significantly interferes with daily activities as documented by the patient’s treating physician; Intractable nausea or vomiting; Epilepsy or intractable seizure disorder; Multiple sclerosis; Chron’s Disease; Painful peripheral neuropathy; A central nervous system disorder resulting in chronic, painful spasticity or muscle spasms; Admittance into hospice care.

Possession/Cultivation: Amended to 12 seedlings (less than 12″), four mature flowering plants, and one ounce of usable marijuana.

Updates: On Nov. 6, 2012, Montana voters approved initiative referendum No. 124 by a vote of 56.5% to 43.5%, upholding SB 423.

On Nov. 8, 2016, Montana voters approved the Montana Medical Marijuana Initiative (I-182). The initiative repeals the requirement of SB 143 that limited medical marijuana providers to three patients; adds pain and PTSD to the list of approved conditions; and revokes the requirement that physicians who provide certifications for 25 or more patients annually be referred to the board of medical examiners.