Sensible Minnesota provides patient advocacy services to Minnesota’s medical cannabis patients and those interested in joining the patient registry. These services are free for patients, but you can always support our work by donating here. We were the first organization in the state to assist patients into Minnesota’s program, and our team is the most experienced when it comes to working with the Minnesota Department of Health, certifying health care practitioners, and Minnesota’s medical cannabis manufacturers.
As a new patient, navigating Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program can be overwhelming. Sensible Minnesota is here to assist in navigating the medical cannabis program with experienced and trained Patient Advocates. You may also begin the process yourself! You will need to print the Patient Acknowledgement & Email form that you will need to bring to your certifying provider. Your provider will use the form to certify you online. The Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Medical Cannabis, will then contact you with further instructions on registration. There is an annual registration fee of $200, ($50 for patients with low-income/Medicaid/TEFRA).
After you have completed registration, you will receive an email with your account info log-in for MN’s cannabis patient registry. You will complete a patient survey online, and then you can schedule an appointment at one of the two approved cannabis producers: Leafline Labs or Minnesota Medical Solutions.
We’re here to help you through the process, answer questions as they arise, and advocate on behalf of patients when issues emerge.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Cannabis is still (unfortunately) a Schedule I substance, so insurance companies will not cover it. However, appointments with your certifying health care practitioner may be covered by insurance.
Patients with the following conditions can qualify for medical cannabis in Minnesota:
- Cancer associated with severe/chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, or cachexia or severe wasting.
- Glaucoma.
- HIV/AIDS.
- Tourette Syndrome.
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
- Seizures, including those characteristic of Epilepsy.
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis.
- Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease.
- Terminal illness, with a probable life expectancy of less than one year*
- Intractable pain*
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Autism
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
*pain whose cause cannot be removed and, according to generally accepted medical practice, the full range of pain management modalities appropriate for this patient has been used without adequate result or with intolerable side effects.
Medical Cannabis is still illegal on the federal level, so it is illegal to cross state lines with it. However, you may purchase cannabis products in certain states where it is legal recreationally, or in one of the few states that offers reciprocity to out-of-state patients. Finally, you may drive with cannabis in your car within the state of Minnesota.
Most large health care systems, and some smaller clinics, that have participating health care providers accept insurance. Please check out our provider list if you are looking for a clinic that accepts insurance for the certification visit.
Minnesota State Law prohibits landlords from discriminating against a patient solely for the patient’s enrollment in the medical cannabis registry, unless failure to do so would violate federal law or regulations (this typically applies to Section 8 housing). Landlords are not required to permit possession or consumption in rental properties. Please consult an attorney if you need additional information.
No. Minnesota defines medical cannabis as: “any species of the genus cannabis plant, or any mixture or preparation of them including whole plant extracts and resins, and is delivered in the form of: liquid, including but not limited to, oil; pill; vaporized delivery method with use of liquid oil (but which does not require the use of dried leaves or plant form); or any other method, excluding smoking, approved by the Commissioner of Health.” To date, the Commissioner of Health has approved topical application.
Upon registration, patients in the program agree to only receive medical cannabis from a registered manufacturer.
According to Minnesota Department of Corrections guidelines, those on probation may use medical cannabis, but those on parole after serving a prison sentence may not. Courts have allowed individuals on conditional release (pre-trial) to use medical cannabis. Patients should always talk to their attorney to see if talking to a probation officer would be beneficial, especially prior to using medical cannabis as it may violate terms of their conditional release or probation; your attorney may need to request an amendment to the terms of your probation or conditional release.
Minnesota State Law provides limited protection for patients based on enrollment in the registry program, or the patient’s positive drug test; this extends to hiring, termination, or any other condition of employment, unless the employer stands to lose a monetary or licensing related benefit or is prohibited from allowing use under federal law. If you are facing an employment-related issue, please contact an attorney for advice.
Minnesota State Law prohibits schools from discriminating against a patient solely for the patient’s enrollment in the medical cannabis registry, unless failure to do so would violate federal law or regulations or cause the school to lose a monetary or licensing-related benefit under federal law. Schools are not required to permit possession or consumption on campus. Please consult an attorney if you need additional information.
Both manufacturers offer discounts and reward programs to patients receiving the reduced registration fee from MDH; Minnesota Medical Solutions extends that discount to veterans and their families.
Minnesota state law prohibits denial of child custody, visitation rights, or parenting time with a minor child solely based on the individual’s status as a medical cannabis patient.The law provides that there is no presumption of neglect or child endangerment for using medical cannabis in compliance with Minnesota State Law, unless the patient’s behavior creates an unreasonable danger to the safety of the child.If you are facing a Child Protection or Child Custody case, and are a medical cannabis patient, you should contact an attorney for advice.
There is no explicit prohibition in Minnesota’s law, but you should consult an attorney before possessing firearms.
Minnesota State Law prohibits patients from operating, navigating, or being in actual physical control of any motor vehicle, aircraft, train, or motorboat while under the influence of medical cannabis. If you are pulled over and the officer asks, show them your label or packaging for your medical cannabis. If your medical cannabis is seized, you receive a ticket, or you are arrested for a DUI, ask to talk to an attorney right away and don’t say anything.
FAQ
Find quick answers to the most common questions Minnesotans have about medical cannabis and our medical cannabis program.
Certifying Providers and Health Care Systems
Below is a list of health care systems and clinics that certify patients for Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program. Larger health care systems (i.e. Mayo, Children’s) are department and provider specific, so it is important to call ahead and ask if there is a participating provider in the appropriate department.
Sensible Minnesota does not guarantee the accuracy of this list, and we encourage patients to work with one of our advocates to find a doctor.
AdvaCare Clinics*
Bloomington
952-835-6653 or 866-549-3756
Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota*
Edina
612-20-SPINE
Children’s Minnesota
Twin Cities Metro (17 locations)
Dakota Child and Family Clinic
Burnsville
651-209-8640
Dodson Pain Consultants*
Robbinsdale
763-588-7099
Entira
St. Paul and Eastern Suburbs
651-788-4444
Fairview
Twin Cities Metro (43 locations)
1-800-824-1953
The Green Clinic
Zumbro Falls
507-244-1919
[email protected]
HealthEast Pain Center – St. Paul
St. Paul
651-232-5354
Healthpartners
Statewide
592-883-6000
Life Medical*
St. Louis Park
952-933-8900
Mayo Clinic
Rochester (satellite clinics statewide)
507-284-2511
Midwest Injury Physicians*
Minneapolis
612-353-4486
Minnesota Oncology
Twin Cities Metro (11 locations)
North Memorial Health Care
Twin Cities Metro (16 locations)
763-520-5200
Park Nicollet
Eden Prairie
952-991-5271
Psychotherapy & Healing Associates, Ltd.*
Minneapolis
612-296-3800
Olmsted Medical Center
Rochester/Olmsted County
507-288-3443
Rainy Lake Medical Center
International Falls
218-283-4481
Ridgeview Medical Center
Waconia
952-442-2191
Sanford Health
Bemidji
218-751-5430
St. Cloud Medical Group – Northwest
St. Cloud
320-202-8949
St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Associates
Duluth
218-249-7880
TimeWise Medical*
Lake Elmo, Duluth
651-333-9133
Twin Cities Pain Clinic
Burnsville, Edina, Maple Grove, Woodbury
952-841-2345
Winona Health
Winona
507-454-3650
*Does not accept insurance, appointments are cash only.
If you are a healthcare provider and want to be added or removed from this directory, please e-mail us to let us know.
Certifying Providers
Need to find a health care provider to certify you for medical cannabis? Check out our list for participating providers throughout Minnesota.
Join our patient community to share information and learn from other patients and advocates in Minnesota and beyond.
For more information or assistance, email [email protected] to talk with a Patient Advocate.