Department says they stopped issuing pot cards

HELENA — The state Department of Health and Human Services says it has stopped issuing new medical marijuana cards.

Spokesman Jon Ebelt says his agency is complying with a new medical marijuana law that required the department to stop issuing the cards on May 14.

Ebelt previously said the department would continue to issue cards to patients because of confusion over the law.

Despite Ebelt's new statement on Tuesday, the agency's website says the department is still accepting applications.

The first phase of a new restrictive medical marijuana law went into effect May 14.

The new law gives the department powers to issue cards again using stricter patient criteria after June 1.