There’s no denying it: More than ever, an overwhelming number of Americans support medical cannabis. And we at Green Goods are excited to be helping them access all its many benefits. In today’s post, we’ll share details on how Minnesotans can register to become medical cannabis patients in the North Star State.
You’ll be happy to learn that obtaining a medical cannabis card in Minnesota is fairly straightforward! We’ll walk you through all the steps, starting below.
Qualifying Conditions and Finding a Doctor
The first step is to determine whether you live with one or more of the following qualifying conditions:
- 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
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Chronic pain
The next step is to obtain a medical certification from a doctor, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse licensed to recommend cannabis medicine in Minnesota.
This person could be your current doctor. If your current care provider doesn’t support the use of medical cannabis, you have other options. The state doesn’t maintain a list of cannabis-certified providers, so you’ll have to find a nearby doctor or nurse on your own.
Be sure to bring your medical records with you if you’re seeing a new doctor. You’ll want to share details of your medical history to help her provide you with a certification.
Once that’s complete, let’s proceed to the next step: Registering with the state.
How to Become a Medical Cannabis Patient in MN: The Application Process
Once you’ve visited a care provider to affirm that you live with a qualifying condition and that medical cannabis may help you manage your symptoms, that doctor or nurse will notify the state that you are certified to take medical cannabis.
As soon as your care provider has certified you have a qualifying condition, you’ll receive an email from the Office of Medical Cannabis.
The email will contain a link you can use to register online, as well as an important information sheet you should review before completing registration. Your certification will last 90 days from the date it was sent.
Here’s a list of the documentation and items you’ll need in order to complete your registration:
- The link included in the email from the Office of Medical Cannabis
- Your name, address, and phone number
- A digital image of your state of Minnesota ID or driver’s license
- If applying for the discounted fee, you will need to show proof of receiving Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability, medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, IHS, Railroad disability, VA dependency and indemnity compensation, or Veteran’s disability benefits.
- A credit card to pay the Annual Registration Fee ($200 full / $50 reduced) via USBank website. All fees are non-refundable
You will receive an email when your application is approved. It may take up to 30 days. Be sure to complete the patient self-evaluation in your account in the state’s online registry. Doing so will expedite your visit to the cannabis care center. For a complete list of steps and pertinent information, you can visit the state’s patient registration instructions.
Now you’re free to visit a Cannabis Patient Center (CPC) like Green Goods! At the CPC, a pharmacist will review your account and recommend specific dosages and types.
Registering a Caregiver and Renewing Your Card
If you need help getting your medical cannabis, you can designate a caregiver to pick up your products for you.
These caregivers must register with the state using a process similar to the one you went through. You can find information on the necessary steps here.
Patient and caregiver cards expire every year, so be sure you renew your card on time. The process is the same as your initial application, meaning that you’ll have to be certified by a care provider and submit your paperwork all over again.
Once you have a card, you can stop by your nearest Green Goods location. Just be sure to bring both your state-issued ID and your new medical card with you.
