WEB EXTRA: Fast facts about medical marijuana in Montana
Posted: Feb 4, 2010 12:09 PM
Updated: Feb 5, 2010 10:23 AM
In November 2004, Montana voters overwhelmingly, with a 62 percent margin, passed Initiative 148 that allows patients with specific medical conditions to use medical marijuana to alleviate their symptoms.
The new law, which was effective immediately upon passage, also allows patients and their caregivers to grow and possess a restricted number of marijuana plants.
Montana was the 10th state to pass a medical marijuana law. Montana is one of three states that recognize other states medical marijuana laws. The other two are Rhode Island and Michigan.
In Montana, patients must be diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition, which is defined as:
- cancer, glaucoma, or positive status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or the treatment of these conditions;
- a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces one or more of the following:
- cachexia or wasting syndrome;
- severe or chronic pain;
- severe nausea;
- seizures, including but not limited to those caused by epilepsy; or severe or persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those caused by multiple sclerosis or Crohn's disease; or any other medical condition or treatment for a medical condition adopted by the department by rule. (NOTE: To date, the department has not added to the list by administrative rule.)
Because marijuana is classified by the federal government as a Schedule I drug, it cannot be prescribed by any health care professional. Under the Montana Medical Marijuana Act, doctors can only recommend medical marijuana.
To learn more about Montana's Medical Marijuana Act visit the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Web site.
