Minnesota medical cannabis program
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Dec. 10, 2015 – As the new law permitting the use of cannabis (marijuana) for some medical conditions is implemented, there are a lot of questions about the program and how it affects care for patients. Here is an overview of the new law and how HealthPartners is participating:
Our doctors and other care givers can participate in the program
Our medical doctors, advanced practice registered nurses or physician assistants can choose to participate in the medical cannabis program. The effects of medical cannabis can be different for each individual and a clinician’s decision to certify a patient or not will be based on whether that person could benefit from it.
Contact the Minnesota Department of Health for more information
The most up–to–date information can be found at the Minnesota Department of Health Office of Medical Cannabis:
- Web: Minnesota Department of Health
- Phone: 651-201-5598
- Email: health.cannabis@state.mn.us
Talk to the doctor or care giver who is treating your condition
If you have more specific questions, talk to your doctor who is providing care for your qualifying condition.
The cost of medical cannabis is not covered by health insurance
Medical cannabis is not approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is therefore considered experimental and is not covered by HealthPartners health plans.
Conditions that qualify for medical cannabis
Minnesota law allows the use of medical cannabis to treat certain conditions including:
- Cancer associated with severe/chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, or severe wasting
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Tourette’s Syndrome
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Seizures including those including those characteristic of epilepsy
- Severe muscle spasms including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Terminal illness, with a life expectancy of less than one year, if the illness or treatment produces severe/chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, cachexia or severe wasting
- Intractable pain (begins Aug. 1, 2016)
If you do not have one of these conditions, medical cannabis is not available.
About HealthPartners
Founded in 1957, the HealthPartners family of health care companies serves more than one million medical and dental health plan members nationwide. It is the largest consumer-governed, nonprofit health care organization in the nation, providing care, coverage, research and education to improve the health of members, patients and the community.