MN Marijuana Dispensary Guide
Minnesota Medical Marijuana Program Overview
Type of program: Medical only
In May 2014, Governor Mark Dayton signed into law the Minnesota Medical Marijuana Act. The act is among the most restrictive medical marijuana bills in the country.
The legislation authorizes the use of medical marijuana in limited forms to patients suffering from any of a list of qualifying medical conditions. The program also regulates the distribution and manufacture of medical cannabis.
To fully develop the details for the Minnesota medical marijuana program, the Legislature authorized the Department of Health (MDH) to adopt rules.
The bill legalized marijuana for the treatment of nine severe medical conditions. The list originally included cancer, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, Tourette’s syndrome, ALS, and Crohn’s Disease.
Patient enrollment began on June 1, 2015. The distribution of medical marijuana began July 1, 2015.
In 2016, “intractable pain” was added to the list of qualifying conditions. PTSD was added on August 1, 2017. Chronic pain and age-related macular degeneration were also added to the list of qualifying conditions on December 1, 2019, and went into effect in August 2020.
As of Dec. 31, 2020, there were 28,522 patients actively enrolled in the patient registry.
Contact information and links to instructional guides and forms are available at the bottom of this page.
Minnesota adult recreational marijuana legalization
A bill that would have legalized the adult use of cannabis (House File 600 or HF600) passed the Minnesota House of Representatives but failed to pass in the Senate.
See a summary of legislative changes to medical cannabis laws made in 2021 (PDF)
Minnesota medical marijuana dispensaries
Patients are only permitted to purchase their medicine at licensed Minnesota medical marijuana dispensaries. Patients are required to place orders and schedule a pickup time by phone or by visiting the dispensary’s website.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) licensed two medical marijuana growers on Dec. 1, 2014, responsible for the cultivation, production, and distribution of medical marijuana in Minnesota.
The manufacturers are Vireo Health of Minnesota, LLC and LeafLine Labs, LLC.
Vireo Health operates distribution facilities, or Cannabis Patient Centers (CPCs), in Blaine, Burnsville, Bloomington, Hermantown, Minneapolis, Moorhead, Rochester, and Woodbury.
LeafLine Labs operates CPCs in Eagan, Hibbing, St. Cloud, St. Paul, and Willmar.
List of Minnesota medical marijuana dispensaries
Minnesota medical marijuana doctors
In order to certify patients, a healthcare provider must be a Minnesota licensed physicians, physician assistants, or advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
Minnesota medical marijuana doctors must be enrolled in the medical cannabis registry. As of Dec. 31, 2020, there were 1,831 health care practitioners in the registry.
List of Minnesota medical marijuana doctors
Marijuana Deliveries RX: Unavailable
Home delivery of medical marijuana is currently unavailable in Minnesota.
Available Products
Currently, patients’ options are limited when it comes to available cannabis products. The sale of cannabis-infused pills, oil, topicals, and liquids is permitted. The sale of raw marijuana flowers or cannabis-infused edibles is forbidden under Minnesota law.
Dried raw marijuana will be available to patients who are 21 years or older beginning either on March 1, 2022, or at an earlier date if the testing labs and administrative rules are ready sooner.
Limits
Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program allows registered patients to purchase up to a 90-day supply of medicine as determined by a state-certified medical marijuana doctor.
Telemedicine
The use of telemedicine (phone or video conference) is not permitted for medical marijuana recommendations and renewals. Physicians must examine patients in person.
How to get a Minnesota medical marijuana card
In order to obtain a Minnesota medical marijuana card, patients must be certified by a qualified physician. Shortly after getting certified, patients will receive an email from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Medical Cannabis Registry with instructions for enrollment in the registry.
After an application is submitted, the Office of Medical Cannabis will inform the applicant of the decision by email. Patients will be contacted by email or phone if the application is incomplete. Processing can take up to 30 days.
If approved, patients will receive an approval email from the Office of Medical Cannabis that contains instructions and links for completing a Patient Self-evaluation and contacting a Cannabis Patient Center (dispensary).
Qualifying medical conditions for a Minnesota medical marijuana card
In order to be approved for a Minnesota medical marijuana card, patients must be diagnosed with one of the following qualifying medical conditions:
- Cancer or its treatment (must be accompanied by severe or chronic pain, nausea, or severe wasting)
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Tourette Syndrome
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
- Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis
- Terminal Illness with life-expectancy of less than 1 year (must be accompanied by severe or chronic pain, nausea, or severe wasting)
- Crohn’s Disease was extended to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (including Crohn’s Disease)
- Intractable Pain
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Chronic Pain
Patients may petition the Department of Health to add a qualifying medical condition or an approved medical cannabis delivery method. The department accepts petitions only between June 1 and July 31 each year.
Renewal and replacement
If a patient’s certification is soon to expire, they must contact their health care practitioner to get recertified. Once recertified, patients will receive another enrollment email with your application link.
Patients can renew a Minnesota medical marijuana card as early as 90 days before expiration.
Fees
There is a $200 fee for a Minnesota medical marijuana card due at enrollment. The fee is reduced to $50 if the patient is a recipient of Social Security disability, Supplemental Security Insurance payments, or is enrolled in MinnesotaCare or medical assistance.
Age limits
Patients must be at least 18 years of age to get a medical marijuana card in Minnesota.
Caregivers
Patients who require help in purchasing and administering their medicine can assign caregivers. A patient may have both registered designated caregivers and registered parents, legal guardians, or spouses acting as caregivers.
Because of recent changes in law, patients are no longer required to get approval from their health care practitioner to add a caregiver.
Caregivers must undergo a background check.
Minnesota Marijuana Laws
Marijuana-related DUI laws in Minnesota
Driving under the influence of marijuana in the state of Minnesota could result in the same harsh penalties as alcohol-related offenses.
Public consumption laws in Minnesota
Public consumption of marijuana, medical or otherwise is strictly prohibited in the state of Minnesota.
Social consumption: prohibited
Social consumption lounges are not permitted under Minnesota medical marijuana laws
Reciprocity
Minnesota does not recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards.
Home cultivation: prohibited
Patients and caregivers are not permitted to grow cannabis at home. All cannabis products must be purchased at a licensed Minnesota dispensary.
Minnesota marijuana and guns
Marijuana, medical or otherwise is still categorized as an illegal Schedule I Controlled Substance on a federal level. This law makes it illegal for anyone in the state of Minnesota to purchase guns or ammunition if they also consume any marijuana products.
Federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities are prohibited from accessing the patient registry except when acting pursuant to a valid search warrant.
Minnesota hemp and CBD laws
The state of Minnesota allows the sale, possession, and consumption of all hemp-derived CBD products. These CBD products can be purchased online or at local shops in the state.
Learn more about Minnesota hemp and CBD laws
Buy CBD online
Minnesota Medical Marijuana Links and Information
- List of Minnesota medical marijuana dispensaries
- List of Minnesota medical marijuana doctors
- About the Medical Cannabis Program
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Registration Process
- Qualifying Conditions
- Medical Cannabis Patient Information
- Information for Patients
- Information for Parents/Legal Guardians, Spouses and Caregivers
- Information for Health Care Practitioners
- Laws and Rules
- Public Safety
- Registry Login/Create Account
- Petitions
- Data & Reports
- Important Information and Warnings About Using Medical Cannabis (PDF)
- Annual Re-Enrollment for Patients
- Medical Cannabis Program: A Guide for Patients
- Non-Profit Patient Support Groups by Condition
Licensing
- How to become a medical cannabis manufacturer
- How to become a licensed testing lab
- How to become a licensed distributor
Minnesota medical marijuana rules
- Minnesota Statutes §§152.22 – 152.37 (PDF).
- Minnesota Medical Cannabis Rules 4770 – Adopted July 2015 (PDF)
- Minnesota Medical Cannabis Rules 4770 – Adopted July 2019 (PDF)
Minnesota medical marijuana laws
- Minnesota Session Laws 2014, CHAPTER 311–S.F.No. 2470
- Minnesota Session Laws 2015, CHAPTER 74-H.F.No. 1792 (PDF)
- Office of Medical Cannabis Legislative Changes 2019 (PDF
- Office of Medical Cannabis Legislative Changes 2020 (PDF)
- Office of Medical Cannabis Legislative Changes 2021 (PDF)
- Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program: Patients’ Guide (PDF)
- Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program: Caregivers’ Guide (PDF)
Minnesota medical marijuana program forms
- Designated Caregiver Background Check Informed Consent Form (PDF)
- Patient Email and Acknowledgment Form (PDF)
- Unauthorized Medical Cannabis Possession Report (Interactive PDF)
- Unauthorized Medical Cannabis Possession Report (PDF)
- MN Office of Medical Cannabis Complaint Form (Interactive PDF)
- MN Office of Medical Cannabis Complaint Form (PDF)
Completed forms may be mailed to:
Office of Medical Cannabis
PO Box 64882
St Paul, MN 55164-0882
Acknowledgment/Consent/Disclosure Documents
- Health Care Practitioner Patient Certification Acknowledgment (PDF)
- Health Care Practitioner Registration Acknowledgment (PDF)
- Parent or Legal Guardian Acknowledgment/Consent/Disclosure (PDF)
- Patient Tennessen Notice and Acknowledgment (PDF)
- Patient Information Document (PDF)
- Caregiver Acknowledgment/Consent/Disclosure (PDF)
- Pharmacist Acknowledgment/Consent/Disclosure (PDF)
- Pharmacy Receptionist or Technician Acknowledgment/Consent/Disclosure (PDF)
Instructional Guides
- How to Register in the Medical Cannabis Program: A Guide for Adult Medical Cannabis Patients (PDF)
- How to Register Your Minor Child in the Medical Cannabis Program: A Guide for Parents and Legal Guardians (PDF)
- How to Register in the Medical Cannabis Program: A Guide for Caregivers (PDF)
- Managing Your Medical Cannabis Registry Account: A Guide for Medical Cannabis Patients (PDF)
- Managing Your Medical Cannabis Registry Account: A Guide for Health Care Practitioners (PDF)
- Managing Your Medical Cannabis Registry Account: A Guide for Medical Cannabis Caregivers (PDF)
- Reset Password (PDF)