As laws are expanding and becoming less restrictive, Minnesota marijuana is on the rise. Still, activists in the Land of 10,000 lakes are pushing for more. So what’s up with marijuana in Minnesota?
Is marijuana in Minnesota legal? Are there dispensaries in Minnesota? Here, Elevate Holistics will dive into Minnesota marijuana laws, how to get your MN medical marijuana card, and how patients can purchase Minnesota cannabis.
Are you ready to learn about Minnesota marijuana? Let’s get into it!
Is Marijuana in Minnesota Legal?
In 2014, lawmakers legalized medical marijuana in Minnesota, overseen by the Minnesota Department of Health. Dispensaries in MN began selling medical marijuana to patients in 2015.
Minnesota’s medical cannabis program is heavily regulated, but changes in the past couple of years have broadened the program. Minnesota marijuana plans to see major growth in the near future, and federal changes for hemp are helping to fuel this development.
When Will Marijuana in Minnesota Go Recreational?
Recreational Minnesota marijuana remains illegal. However, since July 2022, hemp-derived foods and beverages containing THC have been legal in Minnesota for adults 21 and older. Thanks, 2018 Farm Bill. The THC content of these products is limited to 5mg THC per serving.
So when will Minnesota cannabis become recreationally legal? A new survey shows that more than half (57%) of Minnesota residents support the legalization of adult-use cannabis.
But, it seems that some Minnesota lawmakers are fighting it. In 2021, the Minnesota House of Representatives voted to legalize cannabis in a bipartisan 72 to 61 vote. However, the Minnesota Senate’s Republican majority refused to allow the bill to receive a committee hearing or vote. When the bill carried over to 2022, the same thing happened.
How to Get Your Medical Card in Minnesota
To access marijuana-derived cannabis products containing higher amounts of THC, you must first have your medical Minnesota marijuana card. So how can you get your card to get your hands on medical marijuana in Minnesota? What’s the process?
Step One
First, you must get approval for medical marijuana from a certified physician. (That’s what Elevate Holistics does – stay tuned for Minnesota marijuana card services in the future.) You can schedule an appointment with a Minnesota-licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse.
During this appointment, whether in person or online, your physician will confirm that you meet at least one of Minnesota’s 17 qualifying medical conditions. Your medical condition will then be certified online in the Medical Cannabis Registry.
Step Two
After you are certified, you will receive a certification email and begin your Medical Cannabis Registry enrollment. At this time, you will need to pay the annual fee of $200 or a reduced fee of $50.
Who qualifies for the reduced fee? Patients who receive:
- Supplemental Security Income
- Social Security Disability
- Medical assistance
- MinnesotaCare
- Veteran’s disability benefits
- More
If you need a medical marijuana caregiver to help manage your account or pick up your cannabis, you can add them to your account during this part of the process.
Step Three
After submitting your application and paying the fee, the Office of Medical Cannabis will let you know by email when they have approved your enrollment. Processing can take up to 30 days.
Your approval email will contain instructions and links for completing your Patient Self-evaluation. Dispensaries use Patient Self-evaluations to determine which medicine works best for a patient.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, you must schedule a consultation with a dispensary pharmacist to develop a plan of care before purchasing medical cannabis.
Minnesota MMJ cards are valid for a year, then patients must re-enroll.
Medical Minnesota Marijuana Qualifying Conditions
What are the qualifying conditions for legal marijuana in Minnesota? In addition to being 21 or older and a valid MN resident, patients must meet at least one qualifying medical condition to be prescribed Minnesota cannabis.
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Autism spectrum disorder (must meet DSM-5)
- Cancer if it produces severe or chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, or cachexia or severe wasting
- Chronic motor or vocal tic disorder
- Chronic pain
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease
- Intractable pain
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Seizures, epilepsy
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Sickle cell disease
- Terminal illness with a probable life expectancy of less than one year
- Tourette syndrome
Due to limited qualifying medical conditions, Minnesota’s medical marijuana bill is considered restrictive compared to other US states. The state plans to consider new conditions, such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and IBS.
The restrictions surrounding the forms of cannabis that MMJ patients can purchase have also been changing.
Forms of Legal Marijuana Minnesota
When lawmakers legalized medical marijuana in Minnesota, it initially only allowed cannabis in the form of liquids, oils, and pills. Then in 2021, the legislature and Gov. Tim Walz expanded the forms of legal marijuana in Minnesota to include raw flower for patients 21 and older. Now, smokable flower has been available since the beginning of March 2022.
In addition, patients have been eligible to buy gummies and “chews” from the state’s medical cannabis dispensaries since the beginning of August 2022.
So what forms of weed can you find in a Minnesota dispensary now?
- Flower
- Gummies or chews
- Tablets or capsules
- Drinkables
- Vaporizers
- Tinctures
- Topicals
Under Minnesota’s medical cannabis program, the state requires consultations with a dispensary pharmacist for a patient to change the type of medical cannabis they receive. So what dispensaries can you contact for a consultation? Are there dispensaries in Minnesota?
Are There Dispensaries in Minnesota?
After obtaining your Minnesota medical marijuana card, completing your self-evaluation, and connecting with a dispensary, you will be able to get your hands on Minnesota cannabis.
There are two cannabis manufacturers in Minnesota: Green Goods and RISE. These manufacturers boast several medical Minnesota dispensaries across the state.
Legal Marijuana Minnesota Laws
Minnesota marijuana laws include those for registered medical cannabis patients and laws for all residents, such as possession limits.
Purchase Limits for Patients
What are the medical marijuana purchase limits for patients? First, a pharmacist must calculate a patient’s daily dosage and a maximum 90-day supply of medical cannabis. From that, the pharmacist determines the amount of cannabis for a 30-day supply. Then, registered patients can purchase medical cannabis in quantities less than or equal to their 30-day supply, as well as up to two and a half ounces of medical cannabis flower per 14-day period.
A manufacturer cannot distribute more than 450 grams of dried raw cannabis per visit to any person.
Home Cultivation
Home cultivation means medical marijuana patients can grow their own weed at home. Minnesota does not allow the home cultivation of cannabis.
Reciprocity Laws
Medical marijuana reciprocity states allow out-of-state MMJ patients to possess and purchase MMJ when in their state.
Minnesota does not offer medical marijuana reciprocity.
Possession Limits
Minnesota cannabis is moderately decriminalized, meaning the state treats small possession like a minor traffic violation. What are the marijuana possession limits in Minnesota?
- Possession of 42.5 g or less of cannabis is considered a misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $200.
- The possession of more than 42.5 grams and less than 10 kilograms of cannabis is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000.
- Possession of more than 10 kg and less than 50 kilograms of cannabis is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.
As possession amounts increase, so does the punishment.
Stay Updated on Cannabis With Elevate Holistics
Are there dispensaries in Minnesota? Yes. To get the best medical marijuana in Minnesota, patients must obtain a medical marijuana card to purchase products from Minnesota dispensaries. We know the process seems tedious, but it’s totally worth it.
Elevate Holistics offers a secure, hassle-free way to get your medical marijuana card. Our online process virtually connects patients with certified MMJ doctors for medical cannabis certification. Stay tuned for our services to reach Minnesota — it may be sooner than you think!
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the know regarding all things cannabis, including Minnesota marijuana updates.
