Medical Cannabis in Minnesota
Available via Telehealth and at Our St. Louis Park Office
Medical Marijuana Certification
Virtual Medical Cannabis Certification Available Statewide
We provide virtual medical cannabis certifications and recertification in Minneapolis and the entire state of Minnesota. As of August 1, 2023, all appointments for cannabis certification and recertification can be done via virtual appointments (phone or zoom).
MN Medical Cannabis Program Overview
Medical cannabis is now a recognized treatment option for a range of qualifying conditions in Minnesota. While still not legalized at the federal level, patients in Minnesota can access it under state law. With virtual certification now available, patients statewide can receive approval without traveling.
Our Medical Cannabis Certification Team
Our medical cannabis certification team includes:
- Dr. Jacob Mirman: Early advocate for medical marijuana, leader in state legislation, featured in Minnesota Medicine and 92 KQRS radio
- Dr. Bacaner: Board-certified provider for cannabis certifications
- Licensed MDs determine eligibility, certify patients, and offer follow-up care
Certification Process & Costs
Certification Fees
- Annual certification or re-certification fee: $200
- Payment options: Credit card or HSA (verify with your provider)
- No co-pays or deductibles—fees are inclusive
- Minnesota Dept. of Health no longer charges additional processing fees
House Call Services
- Available within 10-mile radius of Minneapolis/St. Paul
- Additional $200 for house calls; $10/mile beyond 10 miles
- Ideal for patients unable to use virtual visits
Veterans Services Update
US veterans no longer need our services as of July 1, 2024. Veterans can self-certify at the Minnesota Department of Health.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Cannabis
- Cancer (with pain, nausea, vomiting, cachexia)
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Glaucoma
- ALS
- Tourette Syndrome
- Epilepsy and Seizures
- Multiple Sclerosis (muscle spasms)
- Chronic or Intractable Pain
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease / Crohn’s Disease
- Terminal Illness (life expectancy under 1 year)
- PTSD
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Sleep Apnea (with sleep study)
- Chronic Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder
- Sickle Cell Disease
Our Role & Legal Framework
What We Do
- See patients and determine qualifying conditions
- Make or confirm a diagnosis
- Report diagnosis to the MN Department of Health
- Provide ongoing follow-up care as required
- Comprehensive care for all patient conditions
What We Do NOT Do
- Do not dispense, grow, store, or sell medical marijuana
- Do not recommend cannabis
- Do not manage cannabis prescriptions
- Do not have anything to do with marijuana possession, use, or distribution
After State Approval
- Minnesota Department of Health investigates and approves patients
- Patients work with pharmacists at cannabis dispensaries
- Pharmacists help determine right products and doses
-Ongoing follow-up required under Minnesota law
Dr. Mirman's Expert Opinion
Safety Profile of Medical Cannabis
According to emerging research, Dr. Mirman believes:
- Medical cannabis should be considered as first line pain medication
- Medical cannabis appears safer than all other pain medications
- Does not cause severe side effects like opioids
- No overdose deaths like opioids
- No GI bleeding or kidney failure like NSAIDS
- No liver and kidney failure like acetaminophen in some cases
- More favorable side effect profile than most pain drugs
- Appears more effective than most pain medications
Cannabis and Opioid Interaction
- Cannabis in patients on opioids tends to decrease opioid doses
- In many cases makes opioids unnecessary
- No medical or legal reason to refuse prescribing opioids to cannabis patients
- Some pain clinics inappropriately cut off opioid prescriptions for THC-positive tests
Cannabis Success Stories
Patient Benefits Observed
- Significant improvements in qualifying conditions
- Excellent "side benefits" from cannabis treatment
- Depression improvement leading to weight loss
- Diabetes management improvement
- Insulin reduction (80% in one case)
- PTSD improvement
- Asthma improvement in multiple cases
- Reduction in multiple medications
Example Cases
- Patient reduced from 90 units insulin daily to 16 units
- A1C improved from 13.5 to 6.5
- Patient stopped 15 medications including 4 pain medications
- Pain levels reduced to almost zero
- Stopped Prednisone for asthma improvement
Contact Information
Scheduling Appointments
Call our office: (952) 933-8900
Cannabis coordinator Merrie direct line: (952) 994-9052
Answer 8 short questions to determine eligibility
Virtual appointments available statewide
Required Follow-Up Care
At least one follow-up several months after certification
Required to report progress to the Minnesota Department of Health
Follow-up visit may be billed to the health care plan
Non-covered co-pays and deductibles covered by the certification fee
Additional Resources
Legal Disclaimer: We do not have anything to do with marijuana. We see patients and determine if they have conditions qualifying them for the medical cannabis program under MN law. WE DO NOT recommend cannabis, WE DO NOT sell cannabis, WE DO NOT manage cannabis prescriptions. All we do is make or confirm the diagnosis and report it to the MN Department of Health.