Important information regarding upcoming transitions in state’s cannabis market

To our valued medical cannabis patients, 

The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is writing to share upcoming developments to Minnesota’s cannabis landscape. As more businesses across the state receive cannabis business licenses and prepare for retail operations, we expect adult-use (non-medical) cannabis products to become available in the coming days and weeks. This week, we expect both medical manufacturers will receive a medical cannabis combination business license. This new license permits them to sell adult-use cannabis while also requiring them to continuously serve patients in the medical cannabis market with uninterrupted access to medicine. OCM is committed to ensuring they comply with this requirement, and that this transition is minimally disruptive to you and the other 59,000 Minnesotans who participate in the medical cannabis program. 

Here is a summary of what you need to know during this transition: 

• Core operations, enrollment and tax exemption: The process for becoming and remaining a medical cannabis patient has not changed. This includes the certification, application, and the three-year enrollment period. You can still view details about your enrollment in your Medical Cannabis Registry account. Medical cannabis products purchased by patients are still exempt from certain taxes. (This exemption applies only to medical cannabis products. If you purchase adult-use cannabis products, those products will be subject to the same taxes as the general public.)  

• Retail locations may experience wait times: We anticipate that current medical retail locations may experience an increase in customers (and potentially longer wait times) once licensed and able to sell adult-use products. We encourage you to check with current medical providers for more information about how they are supporting patients through this transition. Please note that OCM will continue to allow licensed businesses selling medical cannabis to offer curbside pick-up for patients purchasing medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.

• New product types and categories: All product categories approved for the adult-use market have also been approved for the medical program. This means you may see new products that were previously not allowed under the medical program.  

• Possession limits: Medical cannabis patients are not subject to adult-use possession limits for medical products, as long as the products have the required patient-specific labeling. 

• Potency limits: Medical cannabis concentrates (for vaporization) are not subject to the same potency limits as adult-use concentrates.  

We're also pleased to announce several upcoming changes to improve patient access and streamline the purchasing process. 

• Expanded access to medical cannabis retail locations: More licensed businesses will be authorized to sell medical cannabis, making it easier for patients to access their medication statewide. Various licensed cannabis businesses—including microbusinesses, mezzobusinesses, and cannabis retailers—can get a medical retail endorsement, which allows them to sell medical cannabis to patients in addition to adult-use products. For the most current list of dispensaries that offer medical cannabis, please visit the dispensary location guide and map on our website. 

• Patient self evaluation (PSE) frequency will change: As part of the transition and new rules for the cannabis program, the PSEs you fill out prior to every medical cannabis purchase will only be required once per quarter, and only for the first year of enrollment. We are working to implement this change as soon as possible and will update patients when this change is enacted. 

• New option for delivery for medical cannabis patients: Due to a 2025 change in state law, licensed, medical cannabis combination businesses will be able to offer home delivery of medical cannabis to patients.  

We understand that you may have questions or concerns about this transition. You can contact our registry and support team at 651-201-5598 (toll free: 844-879-3381) during regular business hours, or by email at medical.cannabis@state.mn.us.  

Thank you for your understanding and for your continued participation in the medical cannabis program. 

Sincerely, 

Ilizah Woodward 

Director of Medical Cannabis