Navigating Minnesota Medical Cannabis Laws
In 2014, the state legislature passed the Minnesota Medical Marijuana Act (SF 2470), creating a program for patients with certain debilitating medical conditions to have access to medical cannabis. Since then, the Minnesota legislature has passed several bills to improve the program, including expanding the list of qualifying medical conditions, the range of available products, and the legal rights and protections for patients.
Patients enrolled in the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program can access medical cannabis from state-licensed dispensaries and grow their own cannabis. There are restrictions on where patients can use their medication and which healthcare professionals can assist patients in enrolling in the program. Program details for patients and caregivers, and medical professionals can be found below.
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48,349 Registered Patient Population |
0.84% of Total Population Represented by Patients |
16 Total Medical Retail Locations |
3,022: 1 Patients: Retail |
*UPDATE: AG ORDER NO. 6754-2026 CHANGED FEDERAL CANNABIS LAWS ON APRIL 28, 2026. Learn more here. It is important to stay active, engaged, and informed. Sign up to get ASA updates.
Patients and their caregivers should be aware that their rights and legal protections* vary by state, age, and even the chemical composition of a product. Medical professionals have federal protections to discuss cannabis medicines with their patients, but incorporating them into their patients' treatment regimen is a very different process than writing a prescription. Laws and regulations are constantly evolving and require consistent advocacy to ensure better patient outcomes.
Americans for Safe Access has taken the guesswork out of navigating applicable laws, regulations, and available resources with these stakeholder resources.
*UPDATE: AG ORDER NO. 6754-2026 CHANGED FEDERAL CANNABIS LAWS ON APRIL 28, 2026: Learn more here.
Federal cannabis laws affect far more than whether a patient can access medical cannabis. For decades, federal prohibition has limited protections for medical cannabis patients under laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA). As a result, patients have often been denied the basic protections that people with other serious health conditions expect in employment, housing, healthcare, and access to federal programs.
Federal prohibition has also affected patients’ access to essential healthcare, housing, and financial support programs, sometimes forcing patients to choose between the medicine they need and the benefits they depend on. It has also created barriers to federal employment, healthcare autonomy, firearm ownership, and other aspects of daily life.
As federal and state cannabis laws change, implementation matters. Advocates must stay vigilant to ensure public agencies, private institutions, employers, housing providers, and healthcare systems update their policies in ways that respect patient rights and protect safe, legal access to medical cannabis.
It is important to stay active, engaged, and informed. Sign up to get ASA updates and learn more about ending patient discrimination.
Cannabis, in its natural form, is inherently safe for most patients, but it is especially susceptible to contaminants during cultivation, manufacturing, handling & even storing. Whether you are purchasing cannabis from regulated, grey, or illicit markets or cultivating your own cannabis, you should be aware of the contaminants commonly found in cannabis and the symptoms that accompany their presence.
Products sold in Minnesota's dispensaries and adult-use retail locations must be tested for contaminants, pesticides, and adulterants, in accordance with thresholds set by state regulators. Click here to see specific requirements for MN products.
For more information about cannabis safety, download ASA's "What’s in Your Cannabis? A Patient & Consumer Guide to Navigating Cannabis Safety."
NOTICE: It can be challenging for patients to determine which businesses offering cannabis products are licensed and approved by the state. Use this resource to find state-licensed medical cannabis retailers.
Stigma and discrimination also make patients targets for law enforcement encounters. Keep in mind that the best law enforcement encounter is the one that never occurs! It's crucial for individuals involved in medical cannabis to understand not only medical cannabis laws and regulations but also their rights. Be Prepared. Learn about Your Rights!
Check out ASA's travel guide for patients and caregivers for tips on what to know before you go!
Get Involved! Learn more about ASA Campaigns and Take Action to improve the lives of medical cannabis patients today!
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