FAQs

Montana Medical Marijuana Program and Think Higher Caregiving

Does Montana have medical marijuana?

Montana’s medical marijuana program launched in 2004. To date, more than 35,000 patients have registered for medical marijuana in Montana.

What are the qualifying conditions to get my medical card?

The debilitating conditions for which you can be recommended for marijuana include:

  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma 
  • HIV/AIDS with symptoms that “seriously and adversely affect the patient’s health status”
  • Cachexia or wasting syndrome;
  • Severe chronic pain, defined as: 
    • Persistent pain of severe intensity that significantly interferes with daily activities as documented by the patient’s treating physician
    • Objective proof of the etiology of the pain must be provided, including relevant and necessary diagnostic tests or confirmation of that diagnosis from a second physician independent of the main, treating physician
  • Intractable nausea or vomiting
  • Epilepsy or an intractable seizure disorder
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Painful peripheral neuropathy
  • A central nervous disorder resulting in chronic, painful spasticity or muscle spasms
  • Admittance into hospice care in accordance with rules adopted by the Montana Department of Health
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Any other medical condition or treatment for a medical condition approved by the Montana legislature2

Visit the Montana Medical Marijuana Program website for more information about approved conditions.

Where can I get more information on the Montana Medical Marijuana Program (MMP)?

Visit the Montana DPHHS MMP website for all the information you need on the Montana medical marijuana program.

What products are available in Montana’s medical marijuana program?

Montana medical marijuana dispensaries offer the following products. Stock and product type vary from dispensary to dispensary; consult the dispensary’s menu before your visit.

  • Cannabis flower
  • Cannabis concentrates and extracts, including:
    • Live resin’s
    • Shatter
    • Wax
    • Caviar
    • Distillate
  • Vape cartridges
  • Edibles
  • Tinctures
  • Capsules
  • Topicals

What is the limit to purchase medical marijuana?

Patients are allowed to buy up to 1 ounce of usable cannabis per day, with a limit of 5 ounces per month. Patients are responsible for monitoring how much they purchase each month. Think Higher Caregiving budtenders will inform you how much is left of your monthly limit each time you make a purchase.

Can I lift the limit on medical marijuana purchases?

Patients may petition the Montana Department of Health to raise the limit on their medical marijuana purchases. To make an appeal, visit the above link, fill out the paperwork, and provide documentation from your physician attesting to your need for more medical cannabis each month.

Obtaining and Renewing Your Montana Medical Marijuana card

Can Think Higher Caregiving help me with my medical marijuana card application?

First and foremost, review the Montana Marijuana Program laws and rules in the Montana Medical Marijuana program bill and this guide to Montana medical marijuana rules. 

The easiest way to learn how to apply for a card is to contact Think Higher Caregiving. We can walk you through every step! Follow our Patient 101 page for a quick low down. We will inform you of all paperwork needed. Then, proceed to Complia, which is the official web portal of the Montana medical marijuana program. 

If you’d like a helping hand with the process, swing into our dispensary at any time and we can help you complete all Complia registrations and state applications.

What information do I need to apply for a medical marijuana card in Montana?

All registered cardholder applicants apply online via Complia’s Industry Portal. The following is required when submitting an application for a registered cardholder or minor cardholder:

  • Photo of registered cardholder applicant
    • The photo must be square and properly oriented, similar to a passport photo. Sideways or rectangular photos will be rejected. Please contact METRC Support if you need help rotating or cropping a photo. 
    • The photo must be a color photo of the patient’s unobscured face taken within the last six months to reflect the patient’s current appearance. The background must be a plain white or off-white background. Photos cannot be blurry.
    • The patient must be directly facing the camera, have a neutral facial expression or natural smile with both eyes open, no sunglasses, and hats removed. The photo should be from the shoulders up. Generally, the photo should look like a driver’s license or a passport photo. 
    • The file may not be digitally enhanced or altered in a way that changes the patient’s appearance. 
    • Photos that do not adhere to these requirements will be rejected.
  • Copy of MT driver’s license, MT state ID, Tribal ID, or valid U.S. passport 
    • If submitting a passport, include a proof of residency document. Acceptable proof of residency documents include a utility bill or lease agreement. Contact the Montana DOH department for additional guidance.
  • Copy of Signed Doctors Medical Marijuana Recommendation

What information do minors need to obtain their card?

For minor cardholder applicants, a copy of MT DL, MT State ID, Tribal ID, or passport of legal guardian are acceptable forms of identification.

Minor cardholder applicants must also provide:

Additionally, the minor’s legal guardian must register as a provider. The legal guardian must provide proof of legal guardianship, which may include:

  • Birth certificate
  • Court-approved document

What forms do I need when I visit my doctor?

Please bring your Montana ID, as well as any relevant medical information, to your appointment. These may include medical records, prescription bottles, X-rays, MRI results, disability paperwork, and any other type of medical record that you have available that will help the recommending physician understand your condition(s). View more information about obtaining your medical records.

How do I renew my Montana medical marijuana card?

Renewals are easy and can be conducted through Complia.

5To renew your Montana medical marijuana card, log in to Complia and complete a card renewal application. Plugin your card number and the system should automatically fill in your information. Check to ensure this information has not changed. Upload your photo, physician statement, driver’s license, and proof of residency.

How much does my application cost?

The total cost to receive your medical marijuana card initially is roughly $180, which includes the fees to your doctor and the $30 fee to obtain the card from the Montana Department of Health.

You are required to pay the fee for your doctor’s visit. Most doctors charge around $150 for a cannabis recommendation. State laws, unfortunately, restrict Montana providers from providing reimbursement for any doctor or submission fees. Once you have received your recommendation, you will be required to pay a $30 fee during the submission to the state through Complia.

How much does it cost to renew my Montana MMJ card?

Before renewing your MMJ card, you must schedule a doctor’s appointment to receive their recommendation. Once a doctor offers a recommendation for your renewal, you will have to pay a renewal fee. Renewals cost $30, plus a small credit card convenience fee if that is your method of payment.

I lost my Montana medical marijuana card. Can I still buy my medicine?

You must present your Montana medical marijuana ID card when you visit your provider. You can order a replacement card from the Montana MMP program for $10.8

Responsible and Compliant Medical Marijuana Use In Montana

Can I still get in trouble at work for using MMJ, even if I am a legal cardholder?

Yes. Employers are NOT required to allow their employees to use MMJ. We suggest you speak to your employer and address the issue long before it becomes a problem. Some employers do make exceptions for patients, but they must know that you are a patient beforehand.

Can I take my medicine out of the state of Montana?

There is no protection from prosecution once a patient leaves the state of Montana with MMJ. A patient is subject to the laws of whichever state they are in. No state provides protection from federal prosecution, including Montana, at any time, in any way.

Can I drive using my medicine?

NO. NO. NO. Do not drive after using MMJ. It is against the law to drive under the influence of ANY intoxicants! You can be prosecuted for DUI if you are caught driving under the influence. PLEASE, do not do it! Arrange for a (sober) friend to drive, or use public transportation or ride-sharing, if you have taken your medicine and need to go somewhere.

Where can and should I use my medicine?

It is against the law to smoke or use medical cannabis in public, or in the presence of a minor (under 18). We strongly suggest you use your medical cannabis at home, or in a private, safe area where you will not be required to drive afterward.

What is Complia?

Complia is the official web portal for the Montana Medical Marijuana Program. Industry stakeholders, also known as providers or dispensaries, utilize Complia to manage the application process for patient, employee, and business license applications. Complia allows users to update their previously submitted and approved applications as well as renew expiring registrations. Patients and employees will also order replacement cards through Complia. Please contact the Montana Medical Marijuana Program for additional guidance.

Where and How To Buy Medical Marijuana In Montana

Can registered patients shop with any provider in Montana?

Yes! As of June 2020, Montana’s patients are no longer required to use a single dispensary. Thanks to untethering, any patient can visit the dispensary of their choice.

Where can I get my medicine once I have my card?

Think Higher Caregiving makes it easy for you to access your meds. Either give a quick call to set up a delivery or pop in our location in Four Corners, or pre-order online!

What’s unique about Think Higher Caregiving?

We are a small atmosphere dispensary that is able to offer a more personal touch. At the end of the day, it’s your medicine, and we work with you to find specific products that will help your issues and work best with your preferences and daily lifestyle. We will always have a range of choices to ensure we have something for each individual patient. Our highly knowledgeable staff can direct you and will always strive to provide unparalleled customer service.

Is Think Higher Caregiving medical cannabis safe?

We take quality control seriously and set our standards extremely high. We believe in a sealed room design, so absolutely no outside particles will dirty our growing environment. With our state of the art design, we are able to have very tight controls and a strict range of environmental variables.

We follow a strict policy of following MT banned pesticides. By following a strict regimen of organic insecticides, we are happy to say you will never have dangerous pesticides in your cannabis.

What products are available at Think Higher Caregiving?

Think Higher Caregiving offers all types of medical cannabis products, including flower, vape, dabs, tinctures, capsules, and edibles. We are well known for our concentrated extracts. Visit the Think Higher Caregiving menu to see the latest product offerings and availability. Verified patients can log in to our website to view daily deals.