Montana reduces medical marijuana card fee from $75 to $5

BILLINGS – The state health department has reduced the fee it charges to obtain or renew a medical marijuana card from $75 a year to $5.

Department of Public Health and Human Services spokesman Jon Ebelt said the old fee brought in more money than was needed to operate the registry. The Billings Gazette reports the lower fee went into effect on Saturday.

Montana had about 13,000 medical marijuana cardholders in June, down from a high of about 30,000 in 2011.

Beginning on Aug. 31, Montana medical marijuana caregivers will be limited to three patients.

However, in November, voters may be asked to consider two related initiatives – one that would lift the three-patient restriction and another that would repeal the medical marijuana law. Supporters say they have gathered enough signatures, but neither initiative has been confirmed for the ballot.