|
View this as a webpage
Dec. 1, 2020
Medical cannabis program adds two new qualifying medical conditions
Sickle cell disease, chronic vocal or motor tic disorder take effect in August 2021
The Minnesota Department of Health will add sickle cell disease and chronic vocal or motor tic disorder to its list of qualifying medical conditions for participation in the state’s medical cannabis program.
Under state law, the new qualifying conditions will take effect in August 2021.
Read the full news release.
As in past years, MDH conducted a formal petitioning process to solicit public input on potential qualifying conditions and delivery methods for medicine. Throughout June and July, Minnesotans submitted petitions. Following that, the process then moved into a public comment period and a public review panel.
In addition to the two new conditions, MDH considered a petition for anxiety. That petition was rejected, but Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm said that the agency will commit to a deeper look at the condition in the first part of 2021.
“Anxiety is a broad term for a group of specific disorders,” said Commissioner Malcolm. “We want to dig into specific anxiety disorders more and move forward carefully. The large number of patient testimonials submitted during the petition process tells us there is something there. However, we want to avoid unintended consequences – there is evidence that cannabis use can actually contribute to and make anxiety worse for some people."
Patients certified for new conditions can receive medicine starting Aug. 1, 2021
Under state rules, patients certified for sickle cell disease or chronic motor or vocal tic disorder will become eligible to enroll in the state’s medical cannabis program on July 1, 2021, and receive medical cannabis from either of the state’s two medical cannabis manufacturers starting Aug. 1, 2021. As with other qualifying conditions, patients need advance certification from a Minnesota health care provider. More information is available at the Registration Process for Patients website.
|
