Medical Marijuana in Minnesota

Minnesota legalized medical marijuana in May 2014, after approval from the Senate in a 46-16 vote, and the House of Representatives by 89-40. The legislation established the state’s Medical Cannabis Program and Registry under the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

In 2015, qualifying patients started receiving certifications from licensed physicians and were enrolled in a patient registry. They have been able to purchase cannabis from one of the Cannabis Patient Centers since July 2018.

Smokable cannabis and home cultivation are not allowed.

Patients may possess a 30-day supply of medical marijuana.

Qualifying Conditions

Medical marijuana can be recommended for any of the following medical conditions:

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Autism
  • Cancer/cachexia
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Intractable pain
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Seizures
  • Severe and persistent muscle spasms
  • Sleep apnea
  • Terminal illness
  • Tourette’s Syndrome
  • Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease can qualify from July 1, 2019.

How to Obtain Medical Cannabis in Minnesota

To obtain medical cannabis, you must be a Minnesota resident and have one of the qualifying conditions.

Only your health care practitioner who is an MD, Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant and has responsibility for your care connected to your qualifying condition can certify you for the program. Once they have done so, you will receive an email with a registration link from the Office of Medical Cannabis. Your certification will lasts 90 days.

In order to register, you will need:

  • Your name, address and phone number.
  • Government-issued ID: state of Minnesota ID or driver’s license (scan or photo from phone).
  • Government assistance plan ID: Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability (SSD), Medical Assistance, CHAMPVA, Veteran Affairs, Indian Health Service or Medicaid ID. Medicare Cards will not be accepted.
  • Credit card to pay a non-refundable annual registration fee of $200 via USBank website.
  • Patients on Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability, Medicaid, MNCare, IHS or CHAMPVA are eligible for the reduced fee of $50.

You can visit a Cannabis Patient Center (CPC) once you have received your approval email. There, a pharmacist will review your account and recommend specific dosage and type of product. Each time you need more medical cannabis, you will have to log-in to the registry and fill out a self-evaluation form before visiting a CPC.

Renewal Requirements

Patients must have their qualifying condition re-certified every year by their physician. Then they submit a re-enrollment application, which the Office of Medical Cannabis has to approve.

The patient enrollment fee of $200 must be paid annually.

Where You Can Buy It

There are 8 state-licensed dispensaries in Minnesota.

The list of dispensaries is available here.