Medical cannabis registration for PTSD underway

Registered patients will be able to get medical cannabis starting August 1

As of July 1, Minnesota patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can register to receive medical cannabis through the state’s medical cannabis program.

Last December, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced plans to add PTSD to the program’s list of qualifying conditions. Patients certified by a health care provider as having PTSD can start receiving medical cannabis at patient cannabis centers starting August 1.

The first step for a patient seeking to participate in the program is to visit a health care practitioner – a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant – who can go to the MDH website and certify the patient has one or more qualifying conditions. Once a provider certifies a patient, he or she can register on the MDH website to receive medical cannabis at one of the state’s eight locations.

As with other conditions, the MDH Office of Medical Cannabis relies on the professional judgment of the certifying health care practitioner to determine whether a patient has PTSD.

Along with the addition of PTSD as a qualifying condition, the state program will add topical medications as an option. Minnesota’s cannabis manufacturers are developing cannabis patches, balms and lotions that are expected to be available later this year.

For more information, visit MDH’s Medical Cannabis website.

MDH accepting requests for additional conditions

MDH is now accepting requests to add new qualifying medical conditions. MDH is authorized to add new qualifying conditions or delivery methods through a public petition process. MDH accepts these requests between June 1 and July 31 each year. Requests received outside of these dates will not be reviewed.

Those interested in submitting a petition must complete the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program Petition to Add a Qualifying Medical Condition (PDF) or Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program Petition to Add an Approved Delivery Method form (PDF). The state’s Medical Cannabis Review Panel will report on the public health benefits and risks of any proposed medical conditions by November 1.

For more information, contact:

Scott Smith
MDH Communications
651-201-5806
scott.smith@state.mn.us