Issue #8: Unqualified patients receiving recommendations

The State Board of Medical Examiners has issued a revised Standard of Care that specifically addresses this issue.

If individuals have received a recommendation without warrant, their license will not be renewed under the new policy revisions. 

Should suspensions of current medical cannabis licensing be solely at the discretion of DPHHS? 

Issue #10: Add PTSD as a qualifying condition

There has been some consideration of reviewing qualifying conditions by the Subcommittee, DPHHS, and the Board of Medical Examiners.  With the recent action by the Veterans’ Administration to permit returning vets to utilize medical cannabis and President Obama’s specific mention of PTSD as a qualifying condition,should the Subcommittee consider adding PTSD to the list of qualifying medical conditions?

Issue #11: Public Smoking and/or Use

This issue should be left to the individual city or county to determine.

Local jurisdictions have adopted regulations regarding smoking restrictions.  It is important to understand how the medicine works.  A seizure patient for example may only have a minute or two to medicate to avoid a seizure.  Should there be limitations on the extent that a local ordinance may inhibit a patient’s ability to properly medicate?

Issue #12: Time frames for licensing

The recommendation made to the Interim Committee suggested that this should be handled by administrative rule.

Since it takes up to six months for a caregiver to have available medicine grown for a new patient, a period of less than one year is not a realistic time frame. Is it realistic to provide for longer license periods for certain medical conditions that could be adopted by administrative rule?

Issue #9: Driving under the influence (DUI)

This issue requires research to help determine when any individual that has used medicinal product is no longer able to operate a motor vehicle.  How should this be dealt with in the new legislation?

Issue #7: What is a plant?

Establish different criteria for plant growth stages and medical cannabis by-products based on actual science that make tracking and governing more efficient for law enforcement and the proposed regulatory board to administer.  The science is now available to identify the THC content in baked goods, other edibles, and sundry products clearly delineating the qualitative and quantitative medicinal content.  Please contribute to the summary that was given to the Interim Committee in Helena for content and accuracy. 

Issue #6: Tracking of Medicine

Issue: Tracking of Medicine

This has been the major issue with law enforcement.  The issue regarding tracking is to reduce the likely hood of diversion, reduce potential out of state medicine coming into Montana, and insure that the law is followed.  Every business needs to know what their inventory is, where it comes from, who their customers are and how much they buy.  This will be a reality in the new law by all expectations, so please contribute on what you think should be tracked and how.  If you are currently using a POS or tracking system let us know what it is and how it works for you.

Issue #5: Regulatory Board

A recommendation for regulatory board was made during the meetings of the Senate Subcommittee.  This was carefully designed to provide for some industry self regulation with appropriate oversight.   The recommendation includes a significant portion of the work group concerns and guidance.  Please comment on the recommendation so that it can be updated for the new legislative session.

This recommendation included a number of different size and types of Caregivers, Patients and  potential license fees.  Keep in mind that ALL REGULATORY BOARDS in Montana must be self funded. Please visit http://www.montanamedicalgrowers.org/content.php/228-MMGA-Proposes-New-Caregiver-Licensing-Board to review the recommendation.