Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana Card in Minnesota

How Many Medical Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Treatment in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, there are 19 medical conditions that qualify patients for medical marijuana treatment.

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in Minnesota 2024

Minnesota issues medical certifications in place of medical marijuana cards to qualifying patients. These patients must be diagnosed with one or more of the following medical conditions to be granted medical marijuana certification:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (DSM-5 approved)
• Cancer
• Chronic motor or vocal tic disorder
• Chronic pain
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's disease included)
• Intractable pain
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
• Persistent or severe muscle spasm, including that caused by Multiple Sclerosis
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Seizures, including epilepsy seizures
• Sickle Cell disease
• Terminal illness with a predictable life expectancy of less than a year
• Tourette syndrome

Patients who suffer from cancer and terminal diseases with a probable life expectancy of less than a year can only qualify if their medical conditions or their treatments cause one or any of these: severe nausea or vomiting; chronic or severe pain; or cachexia or severe wasting.

Does Minnesota Add New Qualifying Conditions to its Medical Marijuana Program?

Yes. Minnesota’s medical marijuana program was enacted in 2014 per Chapter 152.22 of the Minnesota Statutes. This law stipulated that a patient must be diagnosed with any of nine qualifying medical conditions in order to receive medical marijuana treatment. Subsequently, the list was expanded with the addition of intractable pain in 2016, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in 2017, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in 2018, Alzheimer’s disease in 2019, chronic pain in 2020, sickle cell disease and chronic motor or vocal tic disorder in 2021. In 2023, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) were finally added.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) permits petitions for the addition of new qualifying medical conditions every year between June 1st and July 31st. Each petition is deliberated upon by a review panel and a decision is made on December 1st by the Commissioner of Health.

Does Minnesota Allow Physicians to Recommend Medical Cannabis for Non-Qualifying Conditions?

No. A Minnesota-licensed healthcare practitioner cannot recommend medical cannabis for unlisted medical conditions even if they are deemed debilitating.

Do You Need a Doctor’s Recommendation for Medical Marijuana in Minnesota?

Yes. Minnesota does not only require healthcare practitioners to determine if patients qualify for medical marijuana treatment, they are also required to issue certification to use medical marijuana treatment. The only licensed healthcare practitioners who can issue medical marijuana certifications are Minnesota-licensed doctors of medicine, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants acting within the scope of their practice.

Who Qualifies for a Medical Marijuana Card in Minnesota?

Besides being diagnosed with an approved debilitating condition, anyone applying for a medical marijuana certificate in Minnesota must be:

• A resident of the state
• 18 years or older. Caregivers who are 21 years or older can apply on behalf of minors