50-46-303. (Temporary) Medical marijuana registry -- department responsibilities -- issuance of cards and licenses -- confidentiality. (1) The department shall establish and maintain a registry of persons who receive registry identification cards or licenses under this part. The department shall issue:

(a) registry identification cards to Montana residents who have debilitating medical conditions and who submit applications meeting the requirements of this part;

(b) licenses:

(i) to persons who apply to operate as providers or marijuana-infused products providers and who submit applications meeting the requirements of this part;

(ii) for dispensaries established by providers or marijuana-infused products providers; and

(iii) through the state laboratory, to testing laboratories that submit applications meeting the requirements of this part; and

(c) endorsements for chemical manufacturing to a provider or a marijuana-infused products provider who applies for a chemical manufacturing endorsement and meets requirements established by the department by rule.

(2) (a) An individual who obtains a registry identification card and does not name a provider or marijuana-infused products provider is authorized to cultivate, manufacture, possess, and transport marijuana as allowed by this part.

(b) An individual who obtains a registry identification card and names a provider or marijuana-infused products provider is authorized to possess marijuana as allowed by this part.

(c) A person who obtains a provider, marijuana-infused products provider, or dispensary license or an employee of a licensed provider or marijuana-infused products provider is authorized to cultivate, manufacture, possess, sell, and transport marijuana as allowed by this part.

(d) A person who obtains a testing laboratory license or an employee of a licensed testing laboratory is authorized to possess, test, and transport marijuana as allowed by this part.

(3) The department shall conduct criminal history background checks as required by 50-46-307 and 50-46-308 before issuing a license to a person named as a provider or marijuana-infused products provider.

(4) (a) Registry identification cards and licenses issued pursuant to this part must:

(i) be laminated and produced on a material capable of lasting for the duration of the time period for which the card or license is valid;

(ii) state the name, address, and date of birth of the registered cardholder and of the cardholder's provider or marijuana-infused products provider, if any;

(iii) indicate whether a provider or marijuana-infused products provider has an endorsement for chemical manufacturing;

(iv) state the date of issuance and the expiration date of the registry identification card or license;

(v) contain a unique identification number; and

(vi) contain other information that the department may specify by rule.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (4)(c), in addition to complying with subsection (4)(a), registry identification cards issued pursuant to this part must:

(i) include a picture of the registered cardholder; and

(ii) be capable of being used to track registered cardholder purchases.

(c) (i) The department shall issue temporary registry identification cards upon receipt of an application. The cards are valid for 60 days and are exempt from the requirements of subsection (4)(b). Printing of the temporary identification cards is exempt from the provisions of Title 18, chapter 7.

(ii) The cards may be issued before an applicant's payment of the fee has cleared. The department shall cancel the temporary card after 60 days and may not issue a permanent card until the fee is paid.

(5) (a) The department or state laboratory, as applicable, shall review the information contained in an application or renewal submitted pursuant to this part and shall approve or deny an application or renewal within 30 days of receiving the application or renewal and all related application materials.

(b) If the department fails to act on a completed application within 30 days of receipt, the department shall:

(i) refund the fee paid by an applicant for a registry identification card;

(ii) reduce the cost of the licensing fee for a new applicant for licensure or for a licensee seeking renewal of a license by 5% each week that the application is pending; and

(iii) if a licensee is unable to operate because a license renewal application has not been acted on, reimburse the licensee 50% of the gross sales the licensee reported in the most recent quarter for the purpose of the tax provided for in 15-64-102.

(c) Applications that are not processed within 30 days of receipt remain active until the department takes final action.

(d) An application for a license or renewal of a license is not considered complete until the department has completed a satisfactory inspection as required by this part and related administrative rules.

(e) The department shall issue a registry identification card, license, or endorsement within 5 days of approving an application or renewal.

(6) Review of a rejection of an application or renewal may be conducted as a contested case hearing pursuant to the provisions of the Montana Administrative Procedure Act.

(7) (a) Registry identification cards expire 1 year after the date of issuance unless:

(i) a physician has provided a written certification stating that a card is valid for a shorter period of time; or

(ii) a registered cardholder changes providers or marijuana-infused products providers.

(b) Licenses and endorsements issued to providers, marijuana-infused products providers, and testing laboratories must be renewed annually.

(8) (a) A registered cardholder shall notify the department of any change in the cardholder's name, address, physician, provider, or marijuana-infused products provider or change in the status of the cardholder's debilitating medical condition within 10 days of the change.

(b) A registered cardholder who possesses mature plants or seedlings under 50-46-319(1) shall notify the department of the location of the plants and seedlings or any change of location of plants or seedlings. The department shall provide the names and locations of cardholders who possess mature plants or seedlings to the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction in the area in which the plants or seedlings are located. The law enforcement agency and its employees are subject to the confidentiality requirements of 50-46-332.

(c) If a change occurs and is not reported to the department, the registry identification card is void.

(9) The department shall maintain a confidential list of individuals to whom the department has issued registry identification cards. Except as provided in subsections (8)(b) and (10), individual names and other identifying information on the list must be confidential and are not subject to disclosure, except to:

(a) authorized employees of the department as necessary to perform the official duties of the department;

(b) authorized employees of state or local government agencies, including law enforcement agencies, only as necessary to verify that an individual is a lawful possessor of a registry identification card;

(c) a judge, magistrate, or other authorized judicial officer in response to an order requiring disclosure; and

(d) another person or entity when the information pertains to a cardholder who has given written consent to the release and has specified:

(i) the type of information to be released; and

(ii) the person or entity to whom it may be released.

(10) The department shall provide the names and phone numbers of providers and marijuana-infused products providers and the city, town, or county where registered premises and testing laboratories are located to the public on the department's website. The department may not disclose the physical location or address of a provider, marijuana-infused products provider, dispensary, or testing laboratory.

(11) The department may share only information about providers, marijuana-infused products providers, dispensaries, and testing laboratories with the department of revenue for the purpose of investigation and prevention of noncompliance with tax laws, including but not limited to evasion, fraud, and abuse. The department of revenue and its employees are subject to the confidentiality requirements of 15-64-111(1).

50-46-303. (Effective July 1, 2020, or on occurrence of contingency, whichever is earlier) Medical marijuana registry -- department responsibilities -- issuance of cards and licenses -- confidentiality. (1) The department shall establish and maintain a registry of persons who receive registry identification cards or licenses under this part. The department shall issue:

(a) registry identification cards to Montana residents who have debilitating medical conditions and who submit applications meeting the requirements of this part;

(b) licenses:

(i) to persons who apply to operate as providers or marijuana-infused products providers and who submit applications meeting the requirements of this part;

(ii) for dispensaries established by providers or marijuana-infused products providers; and

(iii) through the state laboratory, to testing laboratories that submit applications meeting the requirements of this part; and

(c) endorsements for chemical manufacturing to a provider or a marijuana-infused products provider who applies for a chemical manufacturing endorsement and meets requirements established by the department by rule.

(2) (a) An individual who obtains a registry identification card and indicates the individual will not use the system of licensed providers and marijuana-infused products providers to obtain marijuana or marijuana-infused products is authorized to cultivate, manufacture, possess, and transport marijuana as allowed by this part.

(b) An individual who obtains a registry identification card and indicates the individual will use the system of licensed providers and marijuana-infused products providers to obtain marijuana or marijuana-infused products is authorized to possess marijuana as allowed by this part.

(c) A person who obtains a provider, marijuana-infused products provider, or dispensary license or an employee of a licensed provider or marijuana-infused products provider is authorized to cultivate, manufacture, possess, sell, and transport marijuana as allowed by this part.

(d) A person who obtains a testing laboratory license or an employee of a licensed testing laboratory is authorized to possess, test, and transport marijuana as allowed by this part.

(3) The department shall conduct criminal history background checks as required by 50-46-307 and 50-46-308 before issuing a license to a provider or marijuana-infused products provider.

(4) (a) Registry identification cards and licenses issued pursuant to this part must:

(i) be laminated and produced on a material capable of lasting for the duration of the time period for which the card or license is valid;

(ii) state the name, address, and date of birth of the registered cardholder;

(iii) indicate whether the cardholder is obtaining marijuana and marijuana-infused products through the system of licensed providers and marijuana-infused products providers;

(iv) indicate whether a provider or marijuana-infused products provider has an endorsement for chemical manufacturing;

(v) state the date of issuance and the expiration date of the registry identification card or license;

(vi) contain a unique identification number; and

(vii) contain other information that the department may specify by rule.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (4)(c), in addition to complying with subsection (4)(a), registry identification cards issued pursuant to this part must:

(i) include a picture of the registered cardholder; and

(ii) be capable of being used to track registered cardholder purchases.

(c) (i) The department shall issue temporary registry identification cards upon receipt of an application. The cards are valid for 60 days and are exempt from the requirements of subsection (4)(b). Printing of the temporary identification cards is exempt from the provisions of Title 18, chapter 7.

(ii) The cards may be issued before an applicant's payment of the fee has cleared. The department shall cancel the temporary card after 60 days and may not issue a permanent card until the fee is paid.

(5) (a) The department or state laboratory, as applicable, shall review the information contained in an application or renewal submitted pursuant to this part and shall approve or deny an application or renewal within 30 days of receiving the application or renewal and all related application materials.

(b) If the department fails to act on a completed application within 30 days of receipt, the department shall:

(i) refund the fee paid by an applicant for a registry identification card;

(ii) reduce the cost of the licensing fee for a new applicant for licensure or for a licensee seeking renewal of a license by 5% each week that the application is pending; and

(iii) if a licensee is unable to operate because a license renewal application has not been acted on, reimburse the licensee 50% of the gross sales the licensee reported in the most recent quarter for the purpose of the tax provided for in 15-64-102.

(c) Applications that are not processed within 30 days of receipt remain active until the department takes final action.

(d) An application for a license or renewal of a license is not considered complete until the department has completed a satisfactory inspection as required by this part and related administrative rules.

(e) The department shall issue a registry identification card, license, or endorsement within 5 days of approving an application or renewal.

(6) Review of a rejection of an application or renewal may be conducted as a contested case hearing pursuant to the provisions of the Montana Administrative Procedure Act.

(7) (a) Registry identification cards expire 1 year after the date of issuance unless a physician has provided a written certification stating that a card is valid for a shorter period of time.

(b) Licenses and endorsements issued to providers, marijuana-infused products providers, and testing laboratories must be renewed annually.

(8) (a) A registered cardholder shall notify the department of any change in the cardholder's name, address, or physician or change in the status of the cardholder's debilitating medical condition within 10 days of the change.

(b) A registered cardholder who possesses mature plants or seedlings under 50-46-319(1) shall notify the department of the location of the plants and seedlings or any change of location of plants or seedlings. The department shall provide the names and locations of cardholders who possess mature plants or seedlings to the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction in the area in which the plants or seedlings are located. The law enforcement agency and its employees are subject to the confidentiality requirements of 50-46-332.

(c) If a change occurs and is not reported to the department, the registry identification card is void.

(9) The department shall maintain a confidential list of individuals to whom the department has issued registry identification cards. Except as provided in subsections (8)(b) and (10), individual names and other identifying information on the list must be confidential and are not subject to disclosure, except to:

(a) authorized employees of the department as necessary to perform the official duties of the department;

(b) authorized employees of state or local government agencies, including law enforcement agencies, only as necessary to verify that an individual is a lawful possessor of a registry identification card;

(c) a judge, magistrate, or other authorized judicial officer in response to an order requiring disclosure; and

(d) another person or entity when the information pertains to a cardholder who has given written consent to the release and has specified:

(i) the type of information to be released; and

(ii) the person or entity to whom it may be released.

(10) The department shall provide the names and phone numbers of providers and marijuana-infused products providers and the city, town, or county where registered premises and testing laboratories are located to the public on the department's website. The department may not disclose the physical location or address of a provider, marijuana-infused products provider, dispensary, or testing laboratory.

(11) The department may share only information about providers, marijuana-infused products providers, dispensaries, and testing laboratories with the department of revenue for the purpose of investigation and prevention of noncompliance with tax laws, including but not limited to evasion, fraud, and abuse. The department of revenue and its employees are subject to the confidentiality requirements of 15-64-111(1).

History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 419, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 5, I.M. No. 182, approved Nov. 8, 2016; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 408, L. 2017; amd. Secs. 5, 6, Ch. 292, L. 2019; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 411, L. 2019.