FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12/01/2017: Today, Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger announced the addition of new qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in Minnesota. Sensible Minnesota is pleased with the Commissioner’s decision to include: Autism and Obstructive Sleep Apnea as qualifying conditions.

The addition of Autism Spectrum Disorder to the list of qualifying diagnoses opens the door for additional treatment options to improve functionality and overall quality of life for families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder,” according to Dr. Gretchen Moen, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, co-Petitioner for Autism Spectrum Disorder and Executive Director of Dakota Child and Family Clinic.

Sensible Minnesota worked diligently on reviewing scientific literature for the use of cannabis in the treatment plans for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dementia, Liver Disease, and Parkinson’s Disease. We are disappointed in the Commissioner’s decision not to add Dementia, Liver Disease and Parkinson’s.

“Abundant converging evidence suggests that the use of cannabis for the treatment of these conditions is a low-risk therapeutic option that could improve otherwise persistent symptoms. For patients not responsive to conventional interventions for symptom relief, the argument made against the addition of cannabis to treatment regimens is at best poor,” says Tatyana Matveeva, PhD candidate, Cognitive and Brain Sciences, UMN.

We hope the legislature will work to improve the program in 2018, as many patients are still struggling to access medical cannabis in Minnesota. Those improvements include additional producers, whole flower medicine, and the addition of Dementia, Liver Disease and Parkinson’s. We hope and expect to see many Minnesotans’ quality of life improve as medical cannabis becomes more accessible to patients in Minnesota.

Patients living with Autism and Obstructive Sleep Apnea may begin the certification process in July, and will have access to medicine in August.

Patients with questions regarding the certification procedure may contact [email protected]to connect with an advocate.

About Sensible Minnesota

Sensible Minnesota is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit founded in 2015 by a group of experienced activists. The organization seeks to educate the public on the uses, benefits, and relative safety of cannabis; support persons harmed by prohibition; and to advocate for sensible policy change. For more information visit: https://sensible.mn.

Press Contacts

Heather Tidd, [email protected]651-276-6730 (Twin Cities-Metro, Print)
Maren Schroeder, [email protected]507-226-3578 (Rochester Area)