Minnesota Cannabis Laws

Is cannabis legal in Minnesota?

Minnesota has a medical marijuana program, but adult use of cannabis is otherwise prohibited for those without a valid certificate. Minnesota has decriminalized cannabis.

What are the medical marijuana laws in Minnesota?

Medical cannabis:

2014

• Medical Cannabis Therapeutic Research Act SF 2470
• Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill legalizing marijuana to treat nine severe medical conditions, including cancer, severe epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, Tourette’s syndrome, ALS, and Crohn’s Disease.
• Registration for the program began on June 1, 2015, with the actual distribution of medical marijuana beginning on July 1, 2015.
• Minnesota’s medical marijuana act is considered one of the more restrictive medical marijuana programs in the US.
• Cannabis will only be legally available in liquid, pill, or vaporized delivery method that does not require the use of dried leaves or plant form.

2022

• As of March 1, Minnesotans may purchase flower with a referral from a medical dispensary pharmacist.
• As of August 1, Minnesota residents may buy cannabis gummies and chews. Patients must get a consultation when changing the type of cannabis the patient consumes.

Recreational cannabis:

Recreational cannabis use is currently illegal in Minnesota. However, it is certainly one state where this may change soon. Adult-use marijuana may become legal in Minnesota in the future.

What medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in Minnesota?

The Minnesota law lists the following medical conditions as qualifiers for a medical cannabis card:

• AIDS/HIV
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease
• Autism
• Cancer associated with severe/chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, or cachexia or severe wasting
• Chronic Pain
• Glaucoma
• Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease
• Intractable pain
• 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)
• Tourette Syndrome
• Terminal illness, with a probable life expectancy of less than one year*

*To qualify for the program, you must suffer from cancer or a terminal illness with a probable life expectancy of under one year if your illness or its treatment produces one or more of the following: severe or chronic pain; nausea or severe vomiting; or Cachexia or severe wasting.

How do I get certified for medical cannabis in Minnesota?

With Leafwell, you can get your Minnesota Medical Marijuana Certificate in 5 simple steps:

1. Register with Leafwell – You can speak to a doctor and renew your Minnesota medical marijuana certificate online. The cost of the online consultation is $199. You are only billed if approved.
2. Attend your appointment and discuss with your physician why you would like an MMJ Certificate – 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.
3. Receive an email from the state program – Our doctor will submit your certification on your behalf. If accepted, the state will email you within 3 business days and invite you to complete your profile.
4. Complete the Application on the government website – The application process is all online at the Minnesota Department of Health Medical Cannabis Program and you’ll be emailed when you are approved. You can find more information here. The state fee is $200 or $50 for low-income or people on disability
5. Completed the Patient Self-Evaluation form – Once registered, you will need to complete and submit a Patient Self-Evaluation form to purchase medical cannabis before you visit a Cannabis Patient Centre

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Is telemedicine allowed for medical cannabis consultations in Minnesota?

Yes, telemedicine is legal in Minnesota, and you can get certified for cannabis online.

How much cannabis can I possess in Minnesota with an MMJ Card?

90-day supply, with the amount determined by the physician.

Is it legal to grow cannabis in Minnesota?

It is illegal to grow or cultivate cannabis plants in Minnesota.

Does Minnesota accept out-of-state cards?

Minnesota does not recognize other states’ medical marijuana programs and MMJ cards and does not have reciprocity.

Will my Minnesota card be accepted in other states?

A Minnesota medical marijuana card is honored by some other states in the US with a medical marijuana program. This is called “reciprocity.”

The following states accept or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards:

• Arizona
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• US Virgin Islands
• Utah
• Washington, D.C.

However, this does not always mean you can purchase cannabis at a medical marijuana dispensary (non-medical adult use is fine) — just that the state’s medical marijuana laws protect you to some extent. It is wise to call the dispensary ahead if you are a medical cannabis patient from another state and you intend to purchase medical marijuana.

The qualifying condition usually has to match between states, so if your qualifying condition is accepted in one state and not your visiting state, your recommendation is not necessarily valid. You are also beholden to the visiting state’s medical marijuana laws, not the state that issued your card.

The following states accept out-of-state applications, allowing a visiting patient application to use medical cannabis for the duration of their stay:

• Arkansas
• California
• Hawaii
• West Virginia (cancer patients only)

Are there employment laws protecting medical cannabis cardholders in Minnesota?

Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis law prohibits discrimination based on:

• The person’s status as a patient enrolled in the registry program;
• The patient’s positive drug test for cannabis components or metabolites, unless the patient used, possessed, or was impaired by medical cannabis on the premises of the place of employment or during hours of employment.

What are the medical cannabis product testing requirements in Minnesota?

The “analytes” that the labs must test for in each batch include pesticide residues and plant growth regulators, heavy metals, mycotoxins, microbiological contaminants, and residual solvents. Testing is self-policed in Minnesota.

Where is it safe to purchase cannabis in Minnesota?

In all states with a medical marijuana program, the only way to purchase medicinal cannabis products is via a legally-licensed dispensary or pharmacy or another legally designated space to purchase cannabis. Only those with a legal license to sell cannabis can actually do so.

Where is it safe to consume marijuana in Minnesota?

All states with a medical marijuana program have some restrictions on where a person can legally use cannabis. Near schools, nurseries, parks, or other places where children are expected to be, using cannabis is illegal. Use of cannabis on or in federal land or buildings, hospitals, or other such healthcare space is also illegal. Private members’ clubs and landowners may also prohibit cannabis use on their property or restrict it at their discretion.

The safest place to use medical cannabis is in the safety of your own home. It is wise to use common sense, generally keep consumption out of public view, and utilize discreet consumption methods wherever possible.