How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Minnesota in 2023
Article written by
Shanti RyleContent Writer
Content reviewed by
Ruth LemonVP of Operations
Unlike many other states with medical marijuana programs, Minnesota does not have a physical medical card system. All you need to purchase cannabis for medical use is a certificate from a qualifying physician.
Leafwell cannot provide credentials for an initial consultation, as the law requires an in-person visit for first-time patients. However, we gladly support current Minnesota cardholders in renewing their MMJ certification via our secure telemedicine platform. Leafwell providers also offer yearly follow-up appointments to confirm how their patients respond to cannabis treatment.
Read on for our complete guide to getting a Minnesota medical marijuana certificate online and understand everything you need to know about participating in Minnesota’s medical cannabis program.
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Benefits of Having a Medical Card in Minnesota
As an MMJ certificate holder in Minnesota, you are permitted to possess a 90-day supply of cannabis with a specific amount to be determined by your physician.
Note that there are limits to the types of products available in Minnesota for medical patients. Oils, tinctures, pills, pre-rolled joints, smokeable flower, gummies, and chews are legalized for medical use.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for a medical marijuana certificate in Minnesota, you must be a legal resident of Minnesota. Patients must be 18 and diagnosed with a qualifying condition to apply for a medical marijuana card themselves.
Registration to the Minnesota Department of Health’s medical marijuana program is mandatory, but this is not a public database, and your details are not visible to the general public.
Can Minors Get a Medical Card in Minnesota?
Minors under 18 can have caregivers apply on their behalf. Caregivers must be at least 21.
To designate a caregiver during renewal, a Leafwell MMJ doctor can certify that the patient requires a caregiver during the telemedicine consultation. Then, patients add their caregiver’s details to their account when they apply to the state. The caregiver must complete a separate application form and a criminal background check ($15) before the application is granted.
Qualifying Conditions
According to Minnesota law, the following debilitating conditions may qualify you for a medical marijuana certificate in Minnesota:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease
- Autism
- Cancer associated with severe or chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, or cachexia or severe wasting syndrome
- Chronic pain
- Chronic vocal or motor tic disorder
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease
- Intractable Pain
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Seizures, including that characteristic of epilepsy
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including that characteristic of multiple sclerosis
- Terminal illness with a life expectancy of less than one year
- Tourette syndrome
Note that this list is up to date as of January 2023. Legislation or the Commissioner of Health may add additional conditions, at which time, Leafwell will update this list.
How to Apply
Documents You’ll Need
To apply for the Minnesota medical cannabis program for the first time, you must have completed an in-person visit with a state-licensed healthcare practitioner and have them submit a certification that provides proof of your condition and identification documents. Gather the following:
- Photo ID, such as a driver’s license or state-issued ID card.
- Proof of residency, such as a utility bill, bank statement, or state department correspondence.
Steps to Apply
- Locate and schedule an in-person appointment with a registered MMJ doctor participating in Minnesota’s state cannabis program.
- Attend your appointment and discuss why you want an MMJ certificate with your healthcare provider. The doctor will ask you questions based on your medical history and provide you with advice and guidance on whether medical marijuana is a good choice for you.
- Following your evaluation, the doctor will submit your certification to the state on your behalf. If accepted, the state will email you within three business days and invite you to complete your application.
- Complete the medical cannabis registry application on the government website. The application process is all online, and you’ll receive a notice via your email address when approved. The state registration fee is $200 or $50 for low-income people or people on Social Security disability.
- Once registered, you must complete and submit a Patient Self-Evaluation Report to purchase medical cannabis before you visit a cannabis patient center.
Medical marijuana recommendations must be renewed every year. You can speak to a doctor and renew your Minnesota medical marijuana certificate online. When it’s time for renewal, book an appointment with a Leafwell healthcare provider. The cost of the online consultation is $199, and you are only billed if approved.
What to Expect During Your Leafwell Appointment
You must initially apply for a medical marijuana card in Minnesota by visiting a physician and obtaining a certification. However, once you have a Minnesota MMJ card, you can easily renew your patient status using Leafwell’s telemedicine services.
We’ll need you to provide some preliminary details to start. If you have medical records, you can also upload them, although they are not legally required in Minnesota. These are all passed securely to one of our registered practitioners, who can familiarize themselves with your application before your consultation.
The consultation is simple and secure, taking place on our bespoke telemedicine platform. You will meet with a Minnesota registered practitioner who has experience issuing certificates for medical marijuana to patients with various medical issues. The registered practitioner will speak with you about why you are applying and ask questions about your medical conditions and history.
At the end of the consultation, the registered practitioner can make an informed decision about whether they recommend the continued use of medical cannabis based on the medical information they have obtained. If a renewal application is successful, the registered practitioner will complete the certification and submit it to the Minnesota government on your behalf.
You will only be charged for the consultation if a renewal application is successful. Once obtained, the certification will last for one year.
Costs
It costs $200 for the MMJ certificate and application form, payable to the state. This is a non-refundable fee that you must pay every time you apply. Total costs also include any applicable co-pays required to meet with a doctor in-person.
Each certificate is valid for one year. Every time you renew, you must meet with a state-licensed physician. However, renewal certifications allow patients to use telemedicine platforms like Leafwell.
The renewal consultation with a Minnesota registered practitioner via Leafwell’s HIPAA-compliant online consultation service is a flat fee of $199. Remember, you will not be charged if you do not qualify for an MMJ certificate.
The state also offers a $50 application fee discount to users eligible in the following categories:
- SSDI
- SSI
- MinnesotaCare
- IHS
- Railroad disability
- Veteran’s disability
There is no additional fee for applications that include a designated caregiver.
Insurance does not currently cover the cost of applying for an MMJ certificate in Minnesota because cannabis is illegal at the federal level.
Medical Marijuana Reciprocity
Currently, Minnesota does not accept MMJ cards from other states.
However, some states will accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards in reciprocity. But because Minnesota does not have a medical marijuana identification card system, it is difficult to see how reciprocity will be possible except in states like Hawaii and Illinois, where qualified patients from other states can apply and provide an identification number.
The following states accept or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards:
- Arizona
- Arkansas *
- California ^
- Colorado ^
- Connecticut ^
- Hawaii *
- Illinois ^
- Maine
- Maryland ^ (as of July 2023)
- Massachusetts
- Michigan (qualifying state must also have reciprocity with Michigan)
- Missouri ^
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey *
- New Mexico * (recreational cannabis is legal in NM)
- New York ^
- Oklahoma *
- Oregon ^
- Pennsylvania (minors only)
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- U.S. Virgin Islands *
- Utah (max. 45 days, after which the patient must apply for a Utah MMJ card)
- Vermont ^
- Virginia ^
- Washington ^
- Washington, D.C.
States marked with * require visitors to complete a visiting patient application for their stay.
States marked with ^ have adult use programs but do not accept out-of-state cards.
Applying as a Caregiver
Some patients may be eligible for an MMJ certificate but cannot apply themselves. For example, should the patient be a minor under 18, or if the patient needs assistance accessing medical cannabis, a caregiver can be assigned to complete the process on their behalf.
Caregivers must be 21 and can assist with the registration or the purchase/pickup of medical cannabis.
Minors can designate their parent or legal guardian as their caregiver. The parents/guardians must meet with the physician before the certification, though they may meet over telemedicine for renewal visits. A spouse can also be a caregiver and will be asked to upload a copy of their marriage certificate to the state.
Caregivers can also be anyone designated to assist a registered patient by a physician. So, it’s possible to have a friend, roommate, caretaker, or nurse serve as a caregiver. However, only spouses or guardians of minor patients are exempt from background checks. Patients can have more than one caregiver if required.
Where to Buy Medical Marijuana
In all states with a regulated medical program, the only way to purchase marijuana products is via a legally-licensed dispensary, pharmacy, or another legally designated space to buy cannabis.
In Minnesota, medical marijuana patients may acquire cannabis at licensed dispensaries, which are available statewide. When seeking medical marijuana, it’s a good idea to talk to dispensary staff and ask plenty of questions. These trained professionals can assist you in identifying the best cannabis products for specific health conditions and address any questions or concerns.
Cultivation
The cultivation of marijuana is illegal in Minnesota, even with a valid MMJ certificate.
Minnesota Medical Marijuana Laws to Know
Minnesota has decriminalized marijuana, so while recreational use is not legal, most small possession charges lead to fines, not jail. Products are only available in liquid, pill, vape, flower, or topical cream form, and those outside the scope of these forms are illegal. Medical marijuana also cannot be consumed in public.
If you’re ready to renew your Minnesota MMJ card, schedule an appointment with one of Leafwell’s physicians today.
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