Montana to keep issuing pot cards

HELENA — Montana health officials say they will continue issuing medical marijuana cards even if Gov. Brian Schweitzer allows an overhaul bill to become law at midnight.

The bill's author says that flies in the face of the measure's intent.

The overhaul limits who can be a patient and who can be a pot provider. Schweitzer says he will let the Friday deadline to veto the bill pass.

The bill immediately repeals Department of Public Health and Human Services' authority to register patients. The agency can register patients under new regulations on June 1.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Jeff Essmann, says that means the agency should stop issuing cards starting Saturday.

But department spokesman Jon Ebelt says the bill is unclear and his agency plans to issue cards until June 20.