TITLE 50. HEALTH AND SAFETY

CHAPTER 46. USE OF MARIJUANA FOR DEBILITATING MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Part 3. Montana Medical Marijuana Act

Prohibitions On Physician Affiliation With Providers And Marijuana-Infused Products Providers -- Sanctions

50-46-327. (Temporary) Prohibitions on physician affiliation with providers and marijuana-infused products providers -- sanctions. (1) (a) A physician who provides written certifications may not:

(i) accept or solicit anything of value, including monetary remuneration, from a provider or marijuana-infused products provider;

(ii) offer a discount or any other thing of value to a person who uses or agrees to use a particular provider or marijuana-infused products provider; or

(iii) examine a patient for the purposes of diagnosing a debilitating medical condition at a location where marijuana to be used for a debilitating medical condition is cultivated or manufactured or where marijuana-infused products are made.

(b) Subsection (1)(a) does not prevent a physician from accepting a fee for providing medical care to a provider or marijuana-infused products provider if the physician charges the person the same fee that the physician charges other patients for providing a similar level of medical care.

(2) If the department has cause to believe that a physician has violated this section, has violated a provision of rules adopted pursuant to this chapter, or has not met the standard of care required under this chapter, the department may refer the matter to the board of medical examiners provided for in 2-15-1731 for review pursuant to 37-1-308.

(3) A violation of this section constitutes unprofessional conduct under 37-1-316. If the board of medical examiners finds that a physician has violated this section, the board shall restrict the physician's authority to provide written certification for the use of marijuana. The board of medical examiners shall notify the department of the sanction.

(4) If the board of medical examiners believes a physician's practices may harm the public health, safety, or welfare, the board may summarily restrict a physician's authority to provide written certification for the use of marijuana for a debilitating medical condition.

50-46-327. (Effective June 30, 2017) Prohibitions on physician affiliation with providers and marijuana-infused products providers -- sanctions. (1) (a) A physician who provides written certifications may not:

(i) accept or solicit anything of value, including monetary remuneration, from a provider or marijuana-infused products provider;

(ii) offer a discount or any other thing of value to a patient who uses or agrees to use a particular provider or marijuana-infused products provider; or

(iii) examine a patient for the purposes of diagnosing a debilitating medical condition at a location where marijuana to be used for a debilitating medical condition is cultivated or where marijuana-infused products are produced.

(b) Subsection (1)(a) does not prevent a physician from accepting a fee for providing medical care to a provider or marijuana-infused products provider if the physician charges the individual the same fee that the physician charges other patients for providing a similar level of medical care.

(2) If the department has cause to believe that a physician has violated this section, has violated a provision of rules adopted pursuant to this part, or has not met the standard of care required under this part, the department may refer the matter to the board of medical examiners provided for in 2-15-1731 for review pursuant to 37-1-308.

(3) A violation of this section constitutes unprofessional conduct under 37-1-316. If the board of medical examiners finds that a physician has violated this section, the board shall restrict the physician's authority to provide written certification for the use of marijuana. The board of medical examiners shall notify the department of the sanction.

(4) If the board of medical examiners believes a physician's practices may harm the public health, safety, or welfare, the board may summarily restrict a physician's authority to provide written certification for the use of marijuana for a debilitating medical condition.

History: En. Sec. 12, Ch. 419, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 22, Ch. 123, L. 2013; amd. Sec. 14, I.M. No. 182, approved Nov. 8, 2016.