Minnesotans with PTSD Can Receive Medical Cannabis in 2017

In 2014, the Minnesota Legislature authorized the creation of a medical cannabis program in Minnesota. The law included a set of nine medical conditions that would qualify a person to receive medical cannabis. Now health officials are preparing to add post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a new qualifying condition.

“This decision was made after careful deliberation of available evidence, consultation with experts in the field and public input,” Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Ed Ehlinger said in a statement. “While the process of reviewing these potential additions was difficult due to the relative lack of published scientific evidence, PTSD presented the strongest case for potential benefits. PTSD also has few effective treatment alternatives available for some patients with the condition.”

Only patients who are legal Minnesota residents and have been diagnosed with one of the qualifying conditions are eligible to receive medical cannabis in Minnesota.

Qualifying Conditions:

• Cancer associated with severe/chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, or cachexia or severe wasting.
• Glaucoma.
• HIV/AIDS.
• Tourette Syndrome.
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
• Seizures, including those characteristic of Epilepsy.
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis.
• Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease.
• Terminal illness, with a probable life expectancy of less than one year*
• Intractable pain

To become effective August 1, 2017

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

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