Patients will be able to get medical cannabis, benefit from the help of qualified pharmacists and receive a tax exemption. This distinguishes medical cannabis program from recreational cannabis, which will be taxed and not supported by medical professionals.”
The second change is very good news for veterans!
“The second exciting change/improvement applies to veterans”, continues Dr. Mirman. “Veterans will be able to use a separate application to enroll in Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program and will not need certification from a registered health care provider. This unique form will soon be available on the Medical Cannabis Program website for veterans to self-certify their qualifying condition(s). Veterans can then complete the standard patient enrollment application.”
The third change involves certifications
“The third improvement states that instead of requiring patients to complete an online enrollment application every year, the timeline for certifying a medical conditions has now been extended to once every three years. NOTE: Applications approved on or after July 1, 2024 will have the three-year enrollment cycle applied. Any approvals done before July 1 will not be retroactively extended. Therefore, when we recertify patients before July 1, we are suggesting they wait with filling out their re-enrollment application till after July 1. This form is valid for 90 days, so it is not an issue.”
Closing thoughts
“Over the years I have certified and worked with thousands of patients who have used medical cannabis. I have found it to be extremely safe and incredibly effective. I am delighted to tell everyone about these exciting changes that will make medical cannabis available to more patients and allow us to treat for any conditions that are applicable.”
Official Department of Health 2024 Program Changes
Dear Minnesota Medical Cannabis Health Care Practitioner,
We are contacting you with an update about Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program.
On May 24, 2024, Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill that includes several changes to cannabis legislation, including some things that may impact you as a Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program participant.
Among the changes effective July 1, 2024:
- Veterans will be able to use a separate application to enroll in Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program and will not need certification from a registered health care provider. This unique form will be available on the Medical Cannabis Program website for veterans to self-certify their qualifying condition(s). Veterans can then complete the standard patient enrollment application.
- Patients will be required to be recertified for their qualifying medical condition and complete an online enrollment application every three years, instead of every year.
*Applications approved on or after July 1 will have the three-year enrollment cycle applied. Any approvals done before July 1 will not be retroactively extended. - The definition of qualifying medical condition will change to include any condition recommended, approved, or authorized by a person’s health care practitioner.
- A background check will no longer be required for registered caregivers.
The Office of Medical Cannabis, currently a division within the Minnesota Department of Health, will become a division with the Office of Cannabis Management effective July 1. This change will not affect your status in the medical cannabis program, and patients will not experience any disruption in their ability to purchase medical cannabis.
For more information on the medical cannabis program and additional legislative changes, please visit our Medical Cannabis website.
If you have additional questions, please call 651-201-5598 (toll free at 844-879-3381) or email health.cannabis@state.mn.us.