Minnesota Patient FAQs

NuggMD Minnesota connects prospective patients with state-licensed medical cannabis doctors so you can get your required medical evaluation fast, easy, and online from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Browse our full list of patient FAQs, or contact our customer service team for one-on-one support.

To get a medical cannabis card in Minnesota, qualifying patients must first obtain a physician’s recommendation and submit their information to Minnesota’s state registry for medical marijuana. Minnesota medical marijuana patients are not issued physical cards and instead are given a patient registry number. After being approved for enrollment, Minnesota medical marijuana patients can make an appointment at a dispensary to purchase products.

Minnesota does NOT allow initial medical cannabis evaluations to be conducted online. However, the state does allow recertification evaluations to be conducted online. Check NuggMD Minnesota for the latest updates on the state’s cannabis telehealth regulations.

Yes, but if you don't have a government-issued ID that reflects your current Minnesota address, you'll need to provide other proof of residency in the state.

Any Minnesota-licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse can provide you with a medical marijuana evaluation. A dentist may not recommend cannabis. All NuggMD practitioners are fully-licensed in the state for which they provide evaluations.

All NuggMD medical cannabis evaluations for Minnesota medical cards are $139. There's no charge if you aren't approved for medical cannabis use. So there's no risk!

There are no state fees associated with getting your medical cannabis card in Minnesota.

You must be a Minnesota resident to become a medical marijuana patient in the state. You must also be diagnosed with a qualifying condition by a Minnesota-licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse.

Qualifying conditions for a Minnesota medical card include:

Alzheimer's disease
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Autism spectrum disorder (must meet DSM-5)
Cancer*
Chronic motor or vocal tic disorder
Chronic pain
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease
Intractable pain
Irritable bowel syndrome (not effective till Aug. 1, 2023)
obsessive-compulsive disorder (not effective till Aug. 1, 2023)
Obstructive sleep apnea
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy
Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis (MS)
Sickle cell disease
Terminal illness, with a probable life expectancy of less than one year*
Tourette syndrome

If your medical condition isn't listed, you can appeal to have it listed. The process takes roughly a year. Most recently, the Department of Health added IBS and OCD, effective starting Aug. 1, 2023.

Yes, you can become a medical marijuana patient in Minnesota despite having a criminal record. Certain criminal offenses, like drug convictions, can prevent a person from becoming a patient caregiver.

For now, no. Some states are working on legislation that would allow insurance companies to cover the cost of cannabis products. However, marijuana is still federally illegal, so most insurance companies won't consider covering medical marijuana until it's finally legalized on a federal level.

Obtaining a medical card in Minnesota offers a variety of benefits to qualifying patients. While it may seem easier to purchase black-market cannabis, this is unsafe for many reasons. The only way to purchase legal, safe, tested cannabis in Minnesota is through the medical marijuana program. Medical marijuana patients also get support from a qualified practitioner who can answer their healthcare and cannabis questions and ensure they understand possible interactions with their current medications and treatment plan.

You can get your medical cannabis evaluation through NuggMD Minnesota in as little as 15 minutes. But it can take the state up to 30 days to process your MMJ application.

Yes! You have the right to renew your medical marijuana recommendation with any practitioner you see fit. If you do choose to renew with a different provider, make sure you bring your medical records and full history, as your evaluation will need to be thorough.

It costs just $139 to get your Minnesota renewal evaluation with NuggMD.

You will need to renew your Minnesota written certification and state registry annually.

With NuggMD, you are ONLY charged for your evaluation if you are approved. We believe everyone deserves access to a qualified medical cannabis doctor, and the cost of an evaluation shouldn’t be a barrier.

You’ll only be charged if you’re approved for your medical marijuana certification. If not, your evaluation is free! If you sign up and pay for your evaluation, but then cancel before your evaluation, there is a small $10 fee for the payment processing. You can also change your mind after your evaluation if you wish and request a refund, but you must do so before your certification has been submitted to the state. Once you’ve been certified, a refund for services will no longer be available. Please send an email to support@nuggmd.com with the subject line “Refund Request” and a brief description of your issue. We want to make sure you’re 100% satisfied with your purchase being that you, the customer, are the most important thing to us! Once a refund has been initiated, please allow 3-5 business days for the funds to transfer back to the card you used for the transaction. A refund is no longer available more than 30 days after the date of your evaluation. If any issues arise, please feel free to reach back out for further assistance.

Medical cannabis patients in Minnesota are allowed to purchase dried cannabis flower, tinctures, topicals, water-soluble cannabinoid multi-particulate, orally dissolvable products, gummies, and chews. Cannabis flower sales are restricted to Minnesota medical cannabis patients 21 and over as permitted by a pharmacist. Adult-use retail sales have not yet gone into effect.

Learn more about Minnesota's cannabis laws and regulations.

There are 15 medical marijuana dispensaries in Minnesota. You can find a list of dispensaries on the state's website. There are two open dispensaries on tribal reservation land from which adult-use consumers can purchase products from: Native Care on Red Lake Nation and Waabigwan Mashikiki on White Earth Nation. More adult-use dispensaries won't be open until the beginning of 2025.

This depends on the state to which you’re traveling. Each state has different rules regarding reciprocity, and some don’t allow it at all. Check with your destination state to learn more.

Medical cannabis patients in Minnesota are limited to 450 grams of flower per 30 days. Adult-use cannabis purchases will be limited to two ounces of flower, 8 grams of concentrate, and 800mg of THC in an edible when sales begin in 2025.

Minnesota doesn't tax medical cannabis products. Adult-use consumers will be subject to a 10% Cannabis Tax, a 6.875% state tax, and any applicable local tax.

Technically, yes, Minnesota allows individuals 21 and over to smoke or vape cannabis anywhere that tobacco is allowed. Cities in Minnesota are permitted to ban the public smoking of cannabis.

No state allows the consumption of cannabis before or while driving. You can transport your cannabis home in your sealed container in the glove box or trunk.

Minnesota doesn't allow medical marijuana home delivery. Patients who need help obtaining their cannabis will need to enlist the help of a caregiver.

Minnesota allows for adults 21 and over to grow up to four mature and four immature cannabis plants. The plants must be kept in an enclosed and locked area away from the public view.

Your Minnesota medical card is valid for up to one year after the date of issuance.

In most cases, no. Per Minnesota's statutes, "(a) No school or landlord may refuse to enroll or lease to and may not otherwise penalize a person solely for the person's status as a patient enrolled in the registry program under sections 152.22 to 152.37, unless failing to do so would violate federal law or regulations or cause the school or landlord to lose a monetary or licensing-related benefit under federal law or regulations."

Non-federal employees are protected from discrimination by Minnesota law if they're registered for the medical cannabis program. The state's legislation does not protect employees from federal drug-free workplace laws.

No. Minnesota won't allow schools to refuse to enroll or otherwise penalize a person solely because of their status as a registered medical cannabis patient.

No. Per Minnesota statute, "for the purposes of medical care, including organ transplants, a registry program enrollee's use of medical cannabis under sections 152.22 to 152.37 is considered the equivalent of the authorized use of any other medication used at the discretion of a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant and does not constitute the use of an illicit substance or otherwise disqualify a patient from needed medical care."

Federal law prohibits even people using medical cannabis legally under state law from purchasing firearms.

Until January 1st, 2025, cities may prohibit cannabis businesses, but after that, they are not allowed to ban cannabis businesses from operating in their city outright. However, they can limit cannabis retailers to one for every 12,500 residents.

Primary caregivers are designated by the patient at the time of their application. Learn how to become a caregiver in Minnesota.

Medical marijuana patients are responsible for selecting their caregivers. During the enrollment process, the patient will add the caregiver's information and email. This will generate an invitation for the caregiver to submit their information and background check information if required. The state will then review the application. Parents, spouses, and legal guardians aren't required to submit to the background check.

To change your caregiver or add a new one, contact the medical marijuana program.

Minnesota medical marijuana caregivers must be:

at least 18 years old,
able to pass a criminal background check unless they are the patient's spouse, parent, or guardian,
designated as a caregiver by the patient, and
approved by the department before they begin their caregiving duties.

Caregivers in Minnesota are required to undergo a criminal background check unless they are the patient's parent, guardian, or spouse.

Yes, minors who meet the diagnosis for a qualified condition in Minnesota are allowed to become medical cannabis patients. The patient must have a parent or legal guardian serve as a caregiver.

Yes. The original law only allowed caregivers to care for one patient. The law was later changed to allow caregivers to care for up to six patients.