Medical Marijuana Card Dispute

The legislature's overhaul of medical marijuana became law not too long ago. Under the new law, the department of Public Health and Human Services was supposed to stop issuing new medical marijuana cards altogether on may 14th, and start issuing new cards under stricter guidelines on June 1^st. The department says it will continue issuing them under the old law until June 20th, because it's not feasible, with patients not having had time to prepare for the restrictive law. The bill's sponsor, state senator Jeff Essman, says the department of Public Health and Human Services is breaking the law.

Montana Cannabis Industry Association board member Kate Cholewa says the legislature's intent was to let the Department of Health and Human Services handle the details of the change.

The Montana Cannabis Industry Association has begun a petition drive to repeal the new law, and has filed for an injunction to stop the remaining parts of the new law from taking effect.