Ways To Get A Medical Marijuana Card In MN In 2024

Photo by Josh Hild

Is Medical Marijuana Legal In Minnesota?

Yes, medical marijuana is legal as of 2014. Medical marijuana is available to Minnesota residents with qualifying conditions who receive a diagnosis for a medical condition that qualifies for cannabis and register with Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management (OMC).

The OMC does not list qualified doctors or practitioners, luckily Green Health Docs has a team of doctors available in Minnesota and many other states to help you qualify. This post will cover the state of cannabis law in Minnesota including recreational marijuana getting legalized in Minnesota and an up-to-date list of qualifying conditions.

If you want to get your medical marijuana card in the land of 10,000 lakes this post has you covered. Before we dive into how you can get your card let’s give you a quick snapshot of cannabis law in Minnesota so you can know your rights.

 

Minnesota Weed Laws In 2024

As of August 1, 2023 recreational cannabis use and possession by adults 21 and older is legal. This essentially legalizes cannabis in the state, however, this does not legalize the purchase of cannabis.

Retail sales in Minnesota will not begin until 2025, so until then you may want to consider medical marijuana if you’re an eligible patient, especially if you need cannabis in the treatment of your condition.

As far back as 1976, marijuana was decriminalized which is not quite legalization but downgrades cannabis possession to a petty crime. Small amounts of cannabis were punishable with a $200 dollar fine.

The Minnesota Medical Marijuana Act legalized in 2014 established the medical marijuana program. Registration for the program formally began on June 1, 2015 with actual distribution of medical cannabis beginning July 1, 2015.

On April 24, 2023, the bill House File 100 (HF100) was passed by the Minnesota House then passed by the Senate then signed into law by Governor Tim Walz. While cannabis is legal there still are not any state-legal recreational dispensaries. However, some Native-owned dispensaries have opened.

Additionally, in 2023 the OMC expanded their list of qualifying conditions. In medical marijuana law, new conditions can be added at any time by following the process and regulations governing qualifying conditions which can often require the submission of certain studies proving the efficacy of cannabis in treatment.

Photo by Unsplash+

What Are The Qualifying Conditions For A Medical Card In MN?

If you’re curious about getting your medical marijuana card in Minnesota here is the list of medical conditions that qualify for a prescription/recommendation from your doctor:

• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (Must Meet DSM-5)
• Cancer
• Chronic Motor Or Vocal Tic Disorder
• Chronic Pain
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Including Crohn’s Disease
• Intractable Pain
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (Added In 2023)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (Added In 2023)
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Seizures, Including Those Characteristic Of Epilepsy
• Severe And Persistent Muscle Spasms, Including Those Characteristic Of Multiple Sclerosis (Ms)
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Terminal Illness, With A Probable Life Expectancy Of Less Than One Year*
• Tourette Syndrome

Minnesota Medical Marijuana Card Requirements & Limitations:

If you want to register for the Medical Marijuana program in Minnesota you require the following:

• A Minnesota Driver’s License or Identification Card
• Mobile device to capture an image of your ID.
• For Caregivers: a parent/legal guardian or spouse’s ID and your birth certificate or marriage certificate.

You also need a recommendation from a doctor who is registered with the OMC to recommend cannabis. Again, the OMC doesn’t list these practitioners. Luckily, Green Health Docs has Minnesota doctors on deck and in your area available to diagnose your qualified condition.

Now let’s get a picture of how the process works.

How To Apply For A Medical Marijuana Card In Minnesota

1. Sign-up for an Appointment with Green Health Docs.

You can schedule an appointment using this form or by calling or texting 240-356-1000. You can get a same-day appointment and in some cases even see a doctor within 15 minutes.

2. Visit With Your Doctor

During your appointment the doctor will assess if you have a qualifying condition. If approved your information will be submitted within 24 hours. You’ll receive a certification email from the state to be able to sign up.

3. Enroll with the OMC

Once you receive your certification email you’ll be asked to enroll with the state. You’ll need to submit the paperwork listed above including a copy of your photo ID and for caregivers all of their required information. It can take 30 days for the state to process your application.

4. Purchase Medical Marijuana

Once your application is approved you can set up a Medical Cannabis Registry account and pick up medical cannabis at your nearest Medical Cannabis Dispensary. You’ll also want to complete a Patient Self-Evaluation online and schedule an appointment at your local dispensary.

Additionally, when visiting a dispensary for the first time you’ll want to have:

• Your Minnesota photo ID
• A list of your prescribed medications
• The visit summary from your health care practitioner
• Payment for your medicine. Payment options vary by location. Minnesota Insurance companies do not cover the cost of medical cannabis.

Photo by Unsplash+

Minnesota Medical Marijuana Card FAQs

Where Can You Buy Marijuana In Minnesota?

Currently, you can only purchase marijuana in Minnesota from medical marijuana dispensaries and this is only for qualifying patients. The list of dispensaries is available here.

When Do Dispensaries Open In Minnesota?

Currently, recreational dispensaries are not set to open until the year 2025. After legalization, it takes time for states to process the applications required to establish dispensaries and also open the state to legal cannabis sales.

How Much Weed Is Legal In MN?

Possession of up to 2 ounces of weed is legal in Minnesota. Possession of more than 2 ounces and less than 4 ounces is a petty misdemeanor punishable by a $300 fine.

Is It Legal To Grow Your Own Weed In Minnesota?

Yes, under the new law adults 21 and older are allowed to grow up to eight cannabis plants at home, with no more than four of those plants in a mature flowering state. Plants must be in an enclosed, locked space that is not open for public view and be sure to check on local state law to ensure that you follow the law and don’t open yourself up to legal penalties.

How Many Marijuana Plants Can I Grow In Minnesota?

In Minnesota, you can grow up to eight cannabis plants at home, with no more than four of those plants in a mature flowering state. If you violate this law you can potentially open yourself up to possession issues, while cannabis is legalized, only certain amounts are able to be in your possession without opening yourself up to certain drug laws and penalties including jail time.

Can I Order Medical Marijuana Online In Minnesota?

You can legally order medical marijuana online in Minnesota however you are legally required to pick it up from the dispensary. It’s not legal to obtain medical marijuana via delivery in Minnesota at this time. However, a caregiver can purchase cannabis on your behalf as long as they are registered with the state.

This could change as recreational cannabis’s rollout expands but for now the law stands and this will not change until dispensaries open at the earliest in 2025 and it may take longer before the state considers delivery services.

Final Thoughts

Minnesota is in for changes as marijuana legalization expands into official recreational sales in 2025. If you’re looking for medical marijuana this can help you get cannabis for your condition, avoid some heavy taxes, and ensure that you don’t miss out on your medicine.

Green Health Docs is happy to help you get your medical marijuana card and ensure that you stay abreast of the law in your area. Be sure to check back for more helpful posts on medical marijuana in your area and how it is helping treat various conditions.

 

This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.