How to Get A Medical Marijuana Card in Minnesota Step by Step
People living in the state of Minnesota who are diagnosed with certain qualifying medical conditions that are recognized by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to be treatable with medical marijuana have been able to legally purchase medical cannabis products since 2015, when the state passed the Minnesota Medical Marijuana Law.
The law, which established Minnesota's Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP), outlines the process for applying for and obtaining a medical marijuana card. The following step-by-step guide can help you with the application process for getting your Minnesota medical marijuana card.
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Step 1: Contact A Health Care Practitioner
First, contact a health care professional who is licensed to certify your qualifying condition for acceptance into MMMP. The health care professional, says MDH, should be a Minnesota-licensed physician, a physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse. Also, MDH does not maintain or publicly share any list of practitioners who are participating in MMMP.
Only patients who are legal Minnesota residents and have been diagnosed with and certified for at least one of the following qualifying conditions are eligible to receive medical cannabis in Minnesota:
- Alzheimer's disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Autism spectrum disorder (must meet DSM-5)
- Cancer (if illness or its treatment produces one or more of the following: 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
- Tourette's syndrome
- Intractable pain
- 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)
- Sickle cell disease
- Terminal illness, with a probable life expectancy of less than one year (if illness or its treatment produces one or more of the following: severe or chronic pain; nausea or severe vomiting; or cachexia or severe wasting)
Before leaving your appointment, ask for an appointment summary and a list of your current medications.
If you’re a minor or you need assistance finding a licensed healthcare professional who can certify your condition, the Sanctuary can help. Contact us to learn more about our Minnesota certification services.
Step 2: Wait for Your Certification Email and Then Register Online
Shortly after your certification appointment with a medical marijuana doctor, you will receive an email from the Office of Medical Cannabis (OMC) containing a link to an online registration page as well as an important information sheet for your review.
Note that your certification is valid for 90 days, so it is advised that you submit your application to the state’s medical cannabis program within 60 days since approval could take up to 30 days.
To register, you will need to send a photo of your state-issued driver's license, photo ID card, or passport, as well as your $200 registration fee. A reduced fee is possible with proof of participation in certain government assistance programs.
Applications are handled in the order they are received. You will receive your approval confirmation via email.
Step 3: Visit A Medical Cannabis Dispensary
Once you’re approved as a medical cannabis patient, you can visit an approved medical cannabis dispensary to purchase Minnesota medical cannabis products with your MMJ card. To expedite your visit, login to your registry account and complete your patient self-evaluation report. If you have a registered caregiver on your account, they can complete the self-evaluation for you. This form will need to be completed before each dispensary visit.
Next, make an appointment with your dispensary for your visit. You need to bring the following:
- Your photo ID (your caregiver must bring their ID when picking up medicine)
- An appointment summary from your certifying health care practitioner (only for initial visit)
- A list of your current prescribed medications (only for initial visit, or if your orders change)
- Payment for your medicine
A dispensary pharmacist will review your account and recommend specific dosage and types for you.
Need Help Obtaining A Minnesota Medical Marijuana Card?
If you would like to apply for enrollment into the MMMP, but don't know how to begin the process, the Sanctuary is here to help you. We can connect Minnesota patients with a qualifying condition with licensed physicians who can certify you for a medical cannabis card.