State Rep. Matt Dean Is Trying to Destroy MN’s Medical Marijuana Program

Representative Matt Dean isn’t a supporter of medical marijuana. He’s trying to restrict the health commissioner’s ability to add new qualifying conditions to the state’s medical marijuana program. Governor Mark Dayton appointed Ed Ehlinger as the health commissioner.

When the law was enacted, it gave the Department of Health control over the program’s expansion to a wider spectrum of patients, according to City Pages. Ehlinger isn’t overstepping his powers at all, in fact, he’s been rather restrictive in his own behaviors. He waited an entire year to add intractable pain to the qualifying conditions list.

Dean tweeted that Dayton was legalizing marijuana for headaches, which is a stretch for saying that he added intractable pain. So, the exaggeration is definitely an overstatement.

In December, PTSD was added to the list of qualifying conditions, while eight others (including insomnia and arthritis) were rejected.

A bill was introduced this week that would completely remove the health commissioner’s ability to add qualifying conditions. PTSD and intractable pain aren’t written into the state’s law, so those could be removed if the Department of Health loses its authority.

Even though Ehlinger has been very responsible with his position, Dean is still causing a ruckus.