How to Get a Medical Card in Minnesota

Whether you’re a Minnesota resident considering applying for an MMJ card or a current cardholder looking to move to Minnesota, you can take steps to secure your medical marijuana card online. The Minnesota medical marijuana card process can be done entirely online. 

One will first need to obtain a certification from a licensed physician that they have a qualifying condition. Once certified by a medical professional, patients can go through the application process online, either through the state website or telehealth providers. Read on as we go over the steps to apply, renew, and become a caregiver in Minnesota. 

The United States and Legal Medical Cannabis

In the United States, medical marijuana programs have been legalized in thirty-six states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Medical marijuana programs allow patients with specified conditions to own, grow and utilize cannabis products to aid in managing their condition, even if recreational cannabis users are not authorized.

Approved requirements vary by state, and many programs will require patience to apply for a medical cannabis card. This process will typically include a consultation and evaluation by a physician. A primary care provider can often suggest it for medical cannabis patients with long-term or chronic conditions.

Medicinal Cannabis Use

Over fifty peer-reviewed medical studies have been conducted on the potential medicinal benefits of cannabis and its many cannabinoids and terpenes. The consensus that emerged from these studies is that cannabis can provide medical benefits for many different conditions. While most of these studies have focused on the help of the specific cannabinoid CBD, other major and minor cannabinoids, in conjunction with terpenes, show significant promise in treating both physical and mental ailments.

MN Patient Eligibility

Minnesota law requires all qualified patients to be registered with the State before purchasing medical marijuana products.

Requirements are as follows: 

• A medical marijuana patient must be 18 years of age or older
• Only patients who can prove Minnesota residency can apply for medical marijuanas MN (personal driver’s license, Government ID)
• Minnesota residents must also have medical records showing a diagnosis that qualifies for medical marijuana cards by a licensed doctor.

Qualifying Conditions in Minnesota

 These conditions for Minnesota medical marijuana program include: 

• Age-related macular degeneration
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Autism
• Cancer/cachexia
• Severe or Chronic pain
• Chronic vocal or motor tic disorder 
• Crohn’s disease
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Intractable pain
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Seizures
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms
• Sickle cell disease 
• Sleep apnea
• Terminal illness with low probable life expectancy
• Tourette’s Syndrome

Steps to Apply for a Medical Card

These are the steps to get a medical marijuana card in Minnesota with the help of Leafy DOC:

First, you’ll select your State to receive the most accurate and up-to-date information about the Minnesota medical marijuana card process.

Skip the wait at the doctor’s office and schedule your evaluation from the comfort and convenience of your home. Submit an intake form with personal details and a summary of your medical history; then, we’ll help you book an on-demand telehealth appointment or schedule a convenient time for later to meet with your certified medical marijuana doctor.

An online recommendation with Leafy DOC starts at 199 USD for new patients and renewals in Minnesota. There is a money-back guarantee if you are not approved for Minnesota medical use.

Connect with the right licensed medical marijuana doctor in minutes and easily chat with your provider on a smartphone, computer, or tablet via phone call or video. Our licensed physicians will evaluate your qualifying condition, address your questions and concerns, and then provide a recommendation for medical cannabis via email. 

Be sure to ask for a visit summary from your physician that details your current medications and medical conditions, as the state will require this information from medical marijuana patients.

Once certified, you will receive an email from the state with your online registration link for the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry. Minnesota does not issue physical medical marijuana cards but a medical marijuana certification. Once you have the MMJ certification, you can visit a cannabis patient center and purchase medicinal cannabis products.

Can Leafy DOC help?

Absolutely! Not only can Leafy DOC provide a way to see a doctor via telehealth and obtain your medical card, but we also offer access to knowledgeable and helpful customer support and a personalized health coach that can guide you before and after the MMJ card process. Our mission at Leafy DOC is to provide a seamless customer experience, educate people about cannabis, and ultimately help people get medical cards quickly and efficiently.

Additional MMJ Card Fees in MN

The annual fee for a medical card from Minnesota is two hundred dollars; however, a reduced fee of fifty dollars is offered for some qualified people.  Once you log in to the Registry, the enrollment fee is paid online by credit/debit card or checking/savings account routing information.

The Renewal Process

Minnesota Medical Marijuana Cards expire annually, so it is essential to begin the renewal process before the expiration date.  You will need to pay the annual fee and re-register with the state; however, you can use telehealth for the renewal appointment, which makes the process more convenient. 

How to Apply as a Caregiver

A patient can add a caregiver to their Registry account; the caregiver will receive an email invitation to set up their account in the Registry via Minnesota medical marijuana laws.

The caregiver must provide the following: 

• name
• address
• date of birth
• phone number 
• government-issued ID: State ID card, Driver’s License, or Passport
• criminal background check

The caregiver application fee is fifteen USD; they must be at least 21 years old. Patients are no longer required to get approval from a healthcare practitioner to add a caregiver to the medical cannabis certification. Medical cannabis caregivers can serve six medical cannabis patients at a time.

Where to Purchase Medical Marijuana in Minnesota

Once you’re registered for the Minnesota Medical Cannabis program and received your ID card, you may wonder what’s next. There are a few ways to receive legal medical marijuana in Minnesota as a qualified patient.

In Minnesota, there are fourteen medical marijuana dispensaries and no recreational dispensaries. The Minnesota Department of Health issues licenses and maintains supervision over each facility. Strict rules govern how facilities run, where they obtain inventory, and what products they can sell.

Minnesota requires all cannabis purchases to be made in cash or via debit card because banks operate on the federal level, where marijuana is still illegal.  Cannabis delivery is available for MMJ patients, and many dispensaries offer online ordering and pick-up for those who cannot come into the dispensary.