Does glaucoma qualify for a medical card in Montana?
Yes. The Montana Medical Marijuana Program lists Cancer, glaucoma, HIV or AIDS, when it causes symptoms that seriously harm the patient's health as a qualifying condition. A Montana-licensed provider still has to evaluate you and agree that cannabis is appropriate.
About glaucoma
Weak evidence. Cannabis lowers eye pressure for only a few hours at a time. The National Academies found limited evidence that cannabinoids are an ineffective treatment for glaucoma, and eye specialists don't recommend it in place of standard care.
Symptoms Montana patients most often hope to ease:
- High eye pressure that is hard to control
- Eye pain or headaches linked to eye pressure
- Side effects or difficulty using daily eye drops
- Worry about vision loss
- Trouble sleeping
Read more: medical marijuana for glaucoma.
How to get certified in Montana
- See a Montana-licensed MD or DO, in person or by telemedicine, who completes the Physician's Statement for a Debilitating Medical Condition.
- Within 60 days of the statement date, start a new medical marijuana application in the Montana TransAction Portal (TAP).
- Upload proof of Montana residency and pay the $20 fee.
- If you plan to grow, add the property deed or the owner's written permission.
- Print the temporary card shown after you submit, and the physical card follows once approved.
- Name up to two designated purchasers aged 21 or older if you need help buying.
Montana allows the evaluation by telehealth, so you can see a Montana-licensed provider by video. Our evaluation starts at $79 and is charged only if you're approved.
Costs and timeline
- State fee: $20
- Card lasts: Up to 1 year (shorter if the physician says so)
- Processing: Temporary card can be printed right after submitting online
- Patient limit: 1 oz of usable marijuana
- Home grow: 4 mature plants and 4 seedlings per cardholder (adults 21+ under adult-use: 2 mature and 2 seedlings); must own the property or have the owner's written permission
- Recreational sales: Legal for adults 21+
- First visit online: Yes
See the full Montana cost breakdown and Montana program overview.
Other qualifying conditions in Montana
- Cachexia & wasting syndrome
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Crohn's & IBD
- Epilepsy & seizures
- HIV/AIDS
- Multiple sclerosis
- Nausea & appetite loss
- Neuropathy (nerve pain)
- PTSD
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Severe muscle spasms & spasticity
- Terminal illness & hospice
Glaucoma in nearby states
- Glaucoma in South Dakota
- Glaucoma in North Dakota
Frequently asked questions
Do I need medical records for glaucoma?
How long does certification take in Montana?
Can I renew online in Montana?
Sources
- Montana DOR - Cardholder Information
- Montana DOR - Physician Statement for a Debilitating Medical Condition
- MCA 16-12-102 - Definitions
- MCA 16-12-515 - Legal protections, allowable amounts
- MCA 16-12-509 - Written certification, accompanying statements
- MCA 16-12-502 - Definitions (standard of care)
- National Academies — The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (2017)
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Laws change — confirm details with your state agency. State facts last checked October 7, 2026.