FAQ - Minnesota Medical Marijuana Card

CAN I GET A MINNESOTA MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD ONLINE?

Yes. Minnesota allows patients to complete the entire medical cannabis enrollment process online.

After your qualifying condition is certified, you’ll receive an email with a link to register through the state’s Medical Cannabis Registry. Once approved, your account remains accessible online and does not involve a physical medical marijuana card.

Each time you purchase medical cannabis, you’ll also need to complete a Patient Self-Evaluation through your online registry account.

This step is required for every dispensary visit and can be completed remotely before your appointment. All key steps—certification, enrollment, and ongoing evaluations—are managed digitally through the state system.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFYING CONDITIONS IN MINNESOTA?

Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program allows patients to qualify based on a variety of serious or chronic medical conditions, including:

Alzheimer’s disease
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Autism spectrum disorder (as defined in the DSM-5)
Cancer (especially when it causes severe or chronic pain, persistent nausea or vomiting, or significant weight loss)
Chronic motor or vocal tic disorder
Chronic pain
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease
Intractable pain
Irritable bowel syndrome
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Obstructive sleep apnea
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Seizures, including those related to epilepsy
Severe and persistent muscle spasms, such as those associated with multiple sclerosis (MS)
Sickle cell disease
Terminal illness with a life expectancy under one year, particularly if accompanied by symptoms like severe pain, vomiting, or wasting
Tourette syndrome

Additionally, medical cannabis may be approved for other conditions if a healthcare provider determines its use would benefit the patient’s care.

CAN I STILL APPLY FOR A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD IN MINNESOTA IF I DON’T HAVE A QUALIFYING CONDITION?

In some cases, yes. While Minnesota has a defined list of qualifying conditions, the program also allows medical cannabis to be recommended for other conditions if a licensed healthcare provider determines that it may be appropriate as part of a patient’s treatment.

This gives practitioners discretion to certify patients whose conditions are not explicitly listed but are considered debilitating or difficult to manage through conventional treatments.

HOW SOON WILL I RECEIVE AN ANSWER AFTER PAYING FOR THE CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT?

Your medical provider will give you their recommendation during the consultation. If your condition is certified, you will receive an email from the Minnesota Department of Health with a link to begin the enrollment process in the state’s Medical Cannabis Registry.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE APPOINTMENT WITH A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER?

During the appointment, the healthcare provider will review your medical history and discuss your current symptoms. They may ask how your condition affects your daily life and whether you’ve tried other treatments. The purpose of the appointment is to determine whether your condition qualifies for medical cannabis under Minnesota’s program.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE APPOINTMENT WITH A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER?

If your condition is certified, you will receive an email from the Division of Medical Cannabis containing a personalized link to complete your registration in the Medical Cannabis Registry.

You must submit your application within 90 days of certification, but it’s strongly recommended to do so within 60 days, as the state’s review process can take up to 30 days.

Once your enrollment is approved, you’ll be able to access your registry account, complete a Patient Self-Evaluation, and schedule an appointment at a licensed medical cannabis dispensary.

Be sure to check your email for follow-up instructions related to your appointment. Look for the subject line: "Additional instructions for your medical card"

HOW CAN I PAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD?

You can pay for your appointment using major Debit and Credit Cards. All fees associated with Minnesota State Cannabis will be reflected as charges from BookingPortal.org on your billing statement.

CAN I SAVE MONEY BY PURCHASING CERTIFICATIONS FOR MULTIPLE YEARS?

Yes. Patients who wish to plan ahead may prepay for multiple future certification appointments through our third-party provider, BookingPortal.org. This option allows individuals to secure current pricing and reduce the need for last-minute scheduling in future years.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD DECISION IN MINNESOTA?

Most patients receive a decision within 30 days after submitting a completed enrollment application.

Following certification by a healthcare provider, patients must submit their application to the Medical Cannabis Registry. Once submitted, the state reviews the application and notifies the patient by email once it is approved.

WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST TO GET A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD IN MINNESOTA?

The only cost associated with accessing medical cannabis in Minnesota is the fee for your certification appointment with a licensed healthcare provider. The state does not charge any additional fees and does not issue a physical medical marijuana card.

WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY? HOW DOES MONEY BACK WORK?

If you do not receive approval for medical cannabis following your meeting with a medical provider, you can receive a full refund for your certification appointment.

Cannabis certification appointments are subject to the refund terms of a third-party booking and scheduling service.

DO YOU GUARANTEE A POSITIVE DECISION ON THE ISSUANCE OF A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD?

The decision of a certifying health care provider is based on the medical condition of the patient. While we cannot guarantee that you will get approved, we guarantee the refund of the money if you meet the qualifications but the appointment does not result in an approval.

CAN I RENEW MY MINNESOTA MEDICAL CARD WITH YOU IF I WAS SEEN BY A DIFFERENT DOCTOR LAST TIME?

Yes. Patients may be recertified by any participating healthcare provider who is registered with Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program.

There is no requirement to return to the same provider who completed the initial certification, as long as the new provider is authorized and registered to certify patients under the program.

WHY GET A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD IN MINNESOTA?

In Minnesota, obtaining a medical cannabis certification offers several key benefits:

Tax Exemption: Medical cannabis purchases are exempt from the 10% cannabis tax, as well as state (6.875%) and local sales taxes that apply to recreational cannabis. This exemption can lead to significant cost savings over time.
Higher Possession Limits: Medical cannabis patients may possess up to 2 pounds of cannabis flower in their private residence, compared to the 2-ounce public possession limit for recreational users.
Increased Home Cultivation Limits: While recreational users are permitted to grow up to eight cannabis plants (with no more than four being mature, flowering plants) at their primary residence, a proposed bill (HF3766) would allow medical cannabis patients to cultivate up to 16 plants, with the option to designate a caregiver to assist with cultivation.

These advantages provide medical cannabis patients in Minnesota with greater access, flexibility, and affordability in managing their treatment.

HOW LONG IS A MEDICAL CANNABIS CARD IN MINNESOTA GOOD FOR?

Enrollment in Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program is valid for three years. Patients must re-enroll and have their qualifying condition recertified by a registered healthcare provider to continue participation after that period.

HOW DO I CANCEL MY MINNESOTA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM CARD?

Enrollment in the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program automatically ends if you do not re-enroll after three years.

There is no separate process required to cancel your participation—simply allowing your certification and registration to expire will remove you from the program.

CAN I USE MY MINNESOTA MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD IN OTHER STATES?

Minnesota’s medical marijuana program does not offer reciprocity with other states. This means that Minnesota patients cannot use their Minnesota Medical Cannabis Registry card to purchase medical cannabis in other states.

However, some states allow out-of-state medical marijuana patients to apply for temporary medical marijuana cards while visiting. These states have their own rules, so it’s important to verify with each state’s program if such a process exists.

Note: Under federal law, it remains illegal to possess or transport cannabis across state lines.

WILL HEALTH INSURANCE COVER THE COST OF MY MINNESOTA MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD?

No, health insurance providers in Minnesota do not cover the cost of medical cannabis. This is due to cannabis's classification as a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, which restricts its inclusion in health insurance plans.

CAN I GET A MEDICAL CANNABIS CARD IN MINNESOTA WITHOUT A STATE ID?

To apply for a Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program card, you will need a government-issued photo ID, such as a Minnesota driver’s license or state ID. If your ID is expired or does not show your current physical address, you will need to provide additional documentation to verify your residency, such as:

A stamped state-issued Minnesota driver’s license or state ID application/renewal slip (issued within the past 90 days).
A current residential mortgage statement, lease/rental agreement, or rent payment receipt (dated within the last 90 days).
A utility bill issued within the past 90 days.
State tax documents from the previous calendar year.
A Social Security disability insurance statement or medical benefits statement from the last 90 days.

This ensures that your residency is verified for enrollment in the Medical Cannabis Program.