Background:
The Minnesota Legislature enacted the law that created the Medical Cannabis Program in 2014. As of March 31, 2020, per the Minnesota Department of Health’s April 2020 update, there were 19,075 patients actively enrolled in the patient registry.
Participating in the Program:
In order to qualify to be a patient in the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program please note the following:
1. Certify: Schedule an appointment with your doctor, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse. These are the only health care practitioners authorized to certify your condition.
2. Register: After you meet with your health care practitioner, you’ll receive an email from the Office of Medical Cannabis that will contain: whether your health care practitioner confirmed a qualifying condition and if so, a unique registration link for the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry.
3. Receive: To purchase medical cannabis, you will need to submit a Patient Self-Evaluation Form. If you are under 18 or you need a caregiver, the person who is authorized to pick up your medical cannabis on your behalf will also need to fill out this form.
Fees:
The registration fee is $200, but you may be eligible for a reduce fee of $50.00 if you are on Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability, Medicaid, MNCare, IHS or CHAMPVA. In addition, no insurance companies in Minnesota currently cover medical cannabis treatment.
You are required to have your qualifying condition(s) re-certified by your MD, Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant on an annual basis. You are also required to submit a re-enrollment application and pay a re-enrollment fee.
Qualifying Conditions:
1. Alzheimer’s Disease
2. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
3. Autism
4. Cancer associated with severe/chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, or cachexia or severe wasting
5. Glaucoma
6. HIV/AIDS
7. Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease
8. Intractable pain
9. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
10. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
11. Seizures, including those characteristic of Epilepsy
12. Severe and persistent muscle spasm, including those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis.
13. Terminal illness, with a probable life expectancy of less than year. You must suffer from cancer or a terminal illness with a probable life expectancy of under one year if your illness or its treatment produces one or more of the following: severe or chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting or cachexia or severe wasting.
14. Tourette’s Syndrome
15. Any other medical condition or its treatment approved by the Commissioner.
Manufacturers:
The two state registered manufacturers are Leafline Labs and Minnesota Medical Solutions. They are responsible for the cultivation, production, and distribution of medical cannabis in Minnesota.
Leafline’s Dispensary Locations:
Eagan: 2795 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55121
Hibbing: 302 East Howard Street, Hibbing, MN 55746
St. Cloud: 141 33rd Avenue South, St. Cloud MN 56301
St. Paul: 550 Vandalia Street, Saint Paul, MN 55114
Willmar: 1413 1st St. S, Willmar, MN 56201
Minnesota Medical Solutions’ Dispensary Locations:
Bloomington: 5232 W. 84th Street, Bloomington, MN 55431
Minneapolis: 207 South 9th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Moorhead: 104 7th Street S. Moorhead, MN 56560
Rochester: 3456 E. Circle Drive NE, Rochester, MN 55906
Under recent legislation, each manufacturer is required to open four more dispensary locations. Click here to see more details regarding the proposed locations.
COVID-19:
How can I enroll in the program during COVID-19? Do I need to visit my health care practitioner in person to be certified? The requirement to see your health care practitioner in person is waived at this time. Telemedicine or video conferencing may be used to assess your medical condition and determine if you have a qualifying condition.
Are the state’s medical cannabis manufacturers and patient centers open during COVID-19? Yes, the manufacturers and patient centers are exempt from the Governor’s stay at home order and remain open.
Must I go into a Cannabis Patient Center to obtain my medical cannabis? The Governor’s Executive Order allows for curbside pick-up during COVID-19. You, or your caregiver, will still need to show your government issued photo ID before receiving your medical cannabis.
Should you have any questions about the medical cannabis program in Minnesota, please contact us. We have a wealth of knowledge about the program, laws, and rules and have substantial legal experience in this industry.