Last verified: March 2026
Division of Medical Cannabis at a Glance
Minnesota's medical cannabis program is administered by the Division of Medical Cannabis (DMC) within the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Originally established in 2014 under Governor Mark Dayton, the program has served over 60,000 patients and now operates under the HF 100 framework.
| Program Website | mn.gov/ocm/dmc |
|---|---|
| Patient Registry | cannabis.web.health.state.mn.us |
| Phone | 651-201-5598 or 844-879-3381 (toll-free) |
| medical.cannabis@state.mn.us | |
| Dispensary Locations | 17 medical dispensaries statewide |
| Enrollment Fee | $0 — free enrollment |
| Minimum Age | 18+ (minors with caregiver) |
How to Become a Patient
Enrolling in Minnesota's medical cannabis program is straightforward and free. Follow these steps:
- Confirm you have a qualifying condition. Review the qualifying conditions list on the DMC website.
- Visit a healthcare provider. Your provider must certify that you have a qualifying condition. Providers must be registered with the DMC. Telehealth appointments are accepted.
- Register online. After receiving provider certification, enroll through the patient registry portal.
- Receive your patient card. Once approved, you can visit any of the 17 medical dispensary locations statewide.
For step-by-step details, see the DMC's how to become a patient guide.
Qualifying Conditions
Minnesota's medical cannabis program covers a broad range of conditions. The full list is maintained by the DMC:
Minnesota has expanded its qualifying conditions significantly since the program's launch in 2014. The program originally covered only a handful of severe conditions; it now encompasses a wider range including chronic pain, PTSD, and intractable pain, among others.
Minnesota veterans can self-certify for conditions diagnosed by the VA, streamlining enrollment. You do not need a separate civilian provider to confirm a VA-diagnosed qualifying condition.
Medical Dispensary Locations
Minnesota has 17 medical cannabis dispensary locations operated by three organizations:
- Green Goods — 8 locations
- RISE — 8 locations
- Bloom Wellness — 1 location
For addresses and directions, see the DMC's dispensary locations page.
Why Keep a Medical Card? Key Benefits
With recreational cannabis available to anyone 21 and older since September 2025, some patients wonder whether maintaining a medical card is worthwhile. For many, the answer is yes:
Tax-Exempt Purchases
Medical cannabis patients are exempt from the 10% state cannabis tax. Recreational consumers pay this tax on top of standard sales tax and any local taxes, resulting in an effective total rate of approximately 22–30%. For patients with regular purchases, the tax savings alone justify the card.
Free Enrollment
Minnesota charges $0 to enroll in the medical cannabis program. There are no registration fees, card fees, or renewal fees — one of the most accessible medical programs in the country.
Access for Ages 18–20
Recreational cannabis requires age 21+, but the medical program is available to qualifying patients age 18 and older. Minors may qualify with a caregiver designation.
90-Day Supply
Medical patients may possess a 90-day supply of cannabis, which can exceed recreational possession limits depending on the product and prescribed dosage.
Pharmacist Guidance
Medical dispensaries in Minnesota are staffed by pharmacists who provide personalized consultation on dosing, product selection, drug interactions, and treatment plans — a level of professional guidance not available at recreational dispensaries.
Employment Protections
Registered medical cannabis patients have specific employment protections under Minnesota law. For the full breakdown, see Employment Protections.
Caregiver Cultivation
Designated caregivers may cultivate cannabis on behalf of medical patients, providing an additional access pathway for patients who cannot grow their own.
| Benefit | Medical Card | Recreational (21+) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% Cannabis Tax | Exempt | Applies |
| Enrollment Cost | $0 | No card needed |
| Minimum Age | 18+ | 21+ |
| Supply Limit | 90-day supply | 2 oz public / 2 lbs home |
| Pharmacist Guidance | Yes | No |
| Caregiver Cultivation | Yes | Self only (8 plants) |
| Employment Protections | Enhanced | Standard (Lawful Consumable Products Act) |
Contacting Patient Services
For questions about enrollment, your patient account, qualifying conditions, dispensary locations, or caregiver registration:
- Phone: 651-201-5598 or 844-879-3381 (toll-free)
- Email: medical.cannabis@state.mn.us
- Patient Registry: cannabis.web.health.state.mn.us
- DMC Website: mn.gov/ocm/dmc
Cannabis Education: Conditions, Dosing & Safety
Our partner site TryCannabis.org provides free, research-backed educational content on medical cannabis topics including:
- Condition-specific guidance for anxiety, chronic pain, insomnia, PTSD, and epilepsy
- Dosing fundamentals and microdosing strategies
- Methods of consumption and how to read lab results
- CBD vs. THC, cannabinoids, and terpenes
- Safety information including drug interactions, cardiovascular risks, and driving impairment
Patient Support Organizations
- Sensible Minnesota — sensible.mn — 501(c)(3) patient advocacy, speakers bureau, and the Minnesota Cannabis Summit
- Minnesota NORML — mnNORML.org — consumer and patient rights advocacy
- Sensible Change Minnesota — changemn.org — political advocacy and social equity
For a full list of organizations, see Organizations & Advocacy.
The Division of Medical Cannabis (DMC) administers Minnesota's medical cannabis program, serving over 60,000 patients through 17 dispensary locations with $0 enrollment and tax-exempt purchases.
Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management — Division of Medical Cannabis
For in-depth cannabis education, dosing guides, safety information, and research summaries, visit our partner site TryCannabis.org