Minnesota medical cannabis patients will be able to buy flower products, including pre-rolls, starting next month. According to the state Health Department, patients have been able to get pre-approval from dispensary pharmacists to access the products since February 1 and will be able to purchase up to a 90-day supply of smokeable products.
In a press release, Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm said that smokeable medical cannabis products “may not be right for everyone [and] patients should have a conversation with their health care practitioner for guidance.”
“Patients need to weigh the risks of smoking medical cannabis, including those related to secondhand smoke and lung health, with any potential benefits.” — Malcolm in a statement
The state announced the program change last May after the reforms were approved by lawmakers.
The Health Department said it expects patient enrollment to double or triple, based on the experiences of other states that added flower to their medical cannabis program. In an October 2021 survey by the Office of Medical Cannabis, 71% of enrolled medical cannabis patients said they were “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to try smokable cannabis when it becomes available.
The agency notes that smokable medical cannabis products can be used on private property, but not in public places where it is illegal to smoke or vape tobacco and medical cannabis cannot be smoked or vaped where a minor could be exposed to secondhand smoke or vapor.
In December, the agency announced that infused candies like gummies and chews would be allowed under the state medical cannabis program in August. The Health Department indicated that it is still on target to roll out the products by August 1.
Prior to the changes, Minnesota patients could only access pills, vapor, liquids, topicals, powdered mixtures, and orally dissolvable products, like lozenges.
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