Tighter rules will take effect at the end of the month for Montana’s medical marijuana industry.
Judge James Reynolds of Helena on Wednesday denied a request to delay those rules until after the November election.
The new restrictions limit each medical marijuana provider to three patients.
State lawmakers approved the rules in 2011, but the Montana cannabis industry association challenged them in court.
The Montana Supreme Court upheld the rules earlier this year, but agreed to suspend them until August 31.
Judge Reynolds said in his opinion that he doesn’t have the authority to go against the Supreme Court’s decision.
“Our system of government mandates that this Court, as a subsidiary district court, must follow the decisions of our Supreme Court,” the judge wrote.
The cannabis industry association wanted the restrictions delayed until voters weigh in on an initiative that would roll back many of the restrictions.