Minnesota Medical Cannabis Market Opportunities

Minnesota Medical Cannabis Market Opportunities

Minnesota Medical Cannabis Market Opportunities

Minnesota legalized medical cannabis nearly six years ago.  Since then, there have been several unsuccessful efforts to do the same for adult-use cannabis, and it appears that 2020 will be no different.  Lets explore the current and historical facts on the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Market Opportunities.

In January 2020, the leader of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) announced they were drafting a bill that would add Minnesota to the list of states that have legalized, taxed and regulated the recreational use of cannabis. Although Gov. Tim Walz has said he supports the move, he faces an uphill battle with opposition from the Minnesota Republican party.

In May 2014, then-Gov. Mark Dayton signed the Minnesota Medical Marijuana Act (SF 2470), a bill legalizing medical cannabis for the treatment of nine severe health conditions. The state began distributing medical cannabis to registered patients on July 1, 2015.

Minnesota’s medical marijuana laws are considered to be among the most restrictive, due to the limited number of health conditions cannabis can be used to treat, the forms that are legal and the costs associated with its use, including a $200 license fee for patients. However, there is a reduced fee of $50 for those who qualify.

The first set of only nine medical conditions that qualified a patient were:

• Cancer or its treatment (must be accompanied by severe or chronic pain, nausea, or severe wasting);
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Tourette Syndrome
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
• Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis
• Terminal Illness with life-expectancy of less than 1 year (must be accompanied by severe or chronic pain, nausea, or severe wasting)
• Crohn’s Disease was extended to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (including Crohn’s Disease)

Other conditions were later added:

• Intractable Pain (2016)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (2017)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (2018)
• Alzheimer’s Disease (2019)

Chronic pain, the most common qualifying condition in other states, and age-related macular degeneration were added as qualifying conditions, effective August 1, 2020.

The majority of Minnesota’s cannabis patients (11, 807, or 65 percent) are using it for intractable pain. When this qualifying condition was added, participation in the program went up considerably.

Form factors are limited and include: pill, vapor oil, topical or liquid forms. However, starting this summer, cannabis powders, lozenges, gums, mints and tablets will be available. The program does not allow patients to access and use the actual plant or flower.

Although some modifications to the law have taken place since Minnesota legalized medical cannabis, the program remains rife with limitations, but the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Market Opportunities are still huge. Limitations include a limited number of allowable conditions and the fact that use of the plant continues to be prohibited, which keeps costs high. Still, the additional qualifying conditions, the expansion of form factors and the doubling of the number of dispensaries should drive growth in 2020 following an expansion in 2019 of 27%.

Minnesota Democratic lawmakers have indicated they will continue to push for legalization this year. House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler announced a statewide Be Heard on Cannabis tour to “to hear from people in every corner of the state.” Rep. Winkler said he will introduce new legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis in 2020, though he has stopped short of predicting whether the legislation will actually make it to the House floor. Meantime, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka has already indicated his opposition to legalization. READ MORE

Are you looking to get your medical marijuana in Minnesota? The talented team of doctors here at CalmEffect are here to help guide you through every single step of the process.  Visit our Minnesota Info Page Here.

Obtaining a medical marijuana card doesn’t have to be a stressful process. As long as the patient qualifies, they are able to make an appointment to speak with a qualified doctor who can make the recommendation for the patient. There are a number of doctors that are able to assist with the certification and from there, patients can find a dispensary and legally purchase medical marijuana without fear of legal ramifications.  RSVP for a qualified Doctor Appointment now by CLICKING HERE.

The 3 step process includes:

• Visiting a physician who determines if your condition qualifies for medical marijuana
• Registering on the Medical Marijuana Use Registry and paying the $75 fee
• Visiting an approved legal dispensary who offer low THC/high CBD products.

We can connect you with many doctors and dispensaries to make the process as easy as possible.  If you have ever considered exploring the benefits of medical marijuana, you are in the right place.  Trust us to guide you and to answer any questions you may have.  Thank you for taking the time to learn about Calm Effect, we are here for you.