Professional Confidential Certification

Our Medical Marijuana certification process protects patient privacy! We provide certification as authorized by Montana State Law in a comfortable, professional setting.

RCFH is committed to helping clients find effective, affordable, safe treatments for chronic conditions. In 2004 Montana voters overwhelmingly passed Initiative 148 by a majority of 62%. This important initiative allows Montanans with certain conditions to obtain certification for medical cannabis use.

Cannabis use has been illegal since the 1930's. Before that, it was included in drugs used by the pharmaceutical industry. Interestingly, both the pharmaceutical industry and the American Medical Association opposed making cannabis illegal at that time. Cannabis has long been grouped together with other illegal substances (for example cocaine, heroine, and other highly addictive, and very dangerous drugs). Understandably, many people are leery of the medical use of cannabis.

Nevertheless, studies show that cannabis is helpful for many conditions. Chronic or severe pain, seizures, and digestive disorders are among those authorized by Montana law.

When considering the use of cannabis as a medicine it is important to note the following:

  1. Cannabis is habit-forming, but not physically addictive. If a regular user of cannabis stops using it, they may be cranky. However they will not suffer the physical withdrawal symptoms experienced by opiate addicts (sweats, nausea, diarrhea, seizures, or skin crawling sensations).
  2. It is impossible to overdose, or to kill oneself (either intentionally or unintentionally) with cannabis. (To die from cannabis, you would literally have to be smothered under a truckload of it.)
  3. Cannabis is, overall, considered by many to be a safer painkiller than opiates.
  4. Patients do not develop a tolerance to the medication, and do not require increasingly large doses over time to obtain the same effect.
  5. Cannabis has not been proven to be a “gateway” drug to harder narcotics. It has, however, allowed some patients to use less opiates - serving in essence as an “exit ramp” medicine.
  6. RCFH recommends patients choose a medication route other than smoke inhalation, which may cause lung damage, cancer, allergic reaction or other health problems.
  7. Different strains of cannabis exist allowing patients to choose the one that works best for their condition. Growers are working to develop new strains designed to treat the patient's condition without affecting their mental status. Studies are ongoing.
  8. Initiative 148 is very specific regarding, which conditions are covered and which are not. If you are interested in the use of medical cannabis, you must read and understand the law: Montana Medical Marijuana Act i148



APPOINTMENTS:
RCFH offers cannabis certification appointments during a monthly two-day clinic. This allows us to better serve your needs. We do not offer certification at other times. Call us at (406) 541-8092 for an appointment time. A $25 deposit is required to secure your appointment. We accept most major credit cards and cash payments. Checks are accepted for appointments made ten days in advance.

Patient's who are seeking certification must provide medical records. If there is a problem in obtaining your records, call us at (406) 541-8092.

You may download your forms ahead of time if you like: Medical & Medication Disclaimer Form

FEES:
Appointments are $240.00, unless we receive your records and are able to review them 10 days prior to the clinic. If records are received 10 days prior to the two day clinic, the fee is reduced to $200. This is designed to motivate clients to get their records in early!

INSURANCE:
It is unlikely that your insurance will cover Cannabis Certification. However, you may submit a claim to them if you desire. If payment is authorized, it will reimburse you. RCFH does not submit insurance claims for Cannabis Certification.

GETTING MEDICINE:
Initiative 148 stipulates that, once a patient has a medical marijuana card, they may:

  • Grow 6 plants for their own use.
  • Identify a “caregiver” (or grower) who will be authorized by them to grow an additional 6 plants.

Warning: a “plant” is considered to be anything from a sprouted seed to a large plant.

RCFH does not provide cannabis. Furthermore, we are not affiliated with any caregiver(s). RCFH offers certification only; the patient must make arrangements with a caregiver themselves.

RCFH recommends that patients do not consume cannabis until after they have received their Montana Medical Marijuana Registration Card from the Montana Department Health and Human Services.

CHOOSING A CAREGIVER:
When considering a caregiver, RCFH recommends that patients interview more than one caregiver, using the following criteria:

  • Do you get a good feeling from the caregiver?
  • Will you get along?
  • Do they grow more than one strain of cannabis?
  • Do they offer samples so that you may find out which strain works best for you?
  • Are their prices reasonable?

Remember, when a caregiver is starting out, they will not have cannabis available at all times. This is because they are allowed, by law, to grow for a patient only AFTER that patient has registered with the state, naming them as caregiver. Established caregivers may have more medicine available.