Minnesota Adding Chronic Pain to Medical Marijuana Program

The Minnesota Health Department has approved age-related macular degeneration and chronic pain to the state’s list of medical marijuana qualifying conditions. More dispensaries will also be permitted to open throughout the state. These changes go into effect in August 2020.

The addition of chronic pain was proposed by Sensible Change Minnesota, according to Minnesota Public Radio. The addition of chronic pain is expected to greatly increase the amount of medical marijuana patients in Minnesota. A doctor’s diagnosis for chronic pain will be required.

Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said, “Minnesota’s medical cannabis program tracks patient experiences so we can learn about the real-world benefits and downsides of using medical cannabis for various conditions. The bottom line is that people suffering from these serious conditions may be helped by participating in the program, and we felt it was important to give them the opportunity to seek that relief.”