February 3, 2022
Patients registered in Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program will be eligible to buy smokable dried cannabis from the state’s medical cannabis dispensaries starting March 1.
In preparation for the change, interested registered patients can make an appointment for a consultation with a medical cannabis dispensary pharmacist as of February 1. Consultations, which can be in-person or virtual, are required when a patient changes the type of medical cannabis they receive.
The sale of smokable cannabis is limited to patients and caregivers who are 21 years or older and who are registered with the Medical Cannabis Program. Proof of age will be required when picking up the medical cannabis.
“Patients need to weigh the risks of smoking medical cannabis, including those related to secondhand smoke and lung health, with any potential benefits,” said Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. “Smokable cannabis may not be right for everyone; patients should have a conversation with their healthcare practitioner for guidance.”
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) expects patient enrollment to double or triple, based on the experiences of other states that added dried flower to their medical cannabis program. In an October 2021 survey by the Office of Medical Cannabis, 71% of enrolled patients who responded said they were very likely or somewhat likely to try it.
Minnesota’s medical cannabis dispensaries will offer pre-packaged dried flower and pre-rolls in a variety of strains and levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Registered patients can get up to a 90-day supply of smokable cannabis.
Patients who decide to use smokable cannabis are encouraged to learn where smoking medical cannabis is allowed. Registered patients can only use medical cannabis within Minnesota. Medical cannabis can be used on private property, but not in public places where it is illegal to smoke or vape tobacco. Medical cannabis cannot be smoked or vaped where a minor could be exposed to secondhand smoke or vapor.
The Medical Cannabis Program will add another option for medicine later this year. Infused edibles (in the form of gummies and chews) will become a new delivery method in the program effective August 1, 2022.
May 29, 2025
As the Legislature works to complete its work on the state’s two-year budget, another deadline is looming. Legislators are required to pass a balanced budget before the end of the fiscal year—June 30, 2025. If they don’t meet that deadline, the state will begin a partial shutdown.
May 29, 2025
Registration has opened for the Empowering Physicians: A Night of Reflection and Engagement event, featuring best-selling author Elisabeth Rosenthal, MD.
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The AMA is encouraging physicians to contact their U.S. senators and urge them to revise the reconciliation bill passed recently by the U.S. House of Representatives. While the bill includes language that would stabilize Medicare physician payments, it also threatens to cripple Medicaid and CHIP.