In Minnesota medical marijuana law, intractable/incurable/chronic pain is mainly defined as a condition that cannot be relieved or treated. According to a LeafLine Labs dispensary spokesperson, it is a serious public health problem in the state and country.
After the many compelling testimonies of Minnesotans, the Minnesota Department of Health has decided to add chronic pain in its medical marijuana program list of qualifying conditions. By August 1, 2016, registered and approved patients will be able to obtain medical marijuana from legalized dispensaries. Currently operating dispensaries include LeafLine Labs in Eagen and Minnesota Medical Solutions in Minneapolis and Rochester.
According to Minnesota’s Health Commissioner, this was not an easy decision due to relative scarcity of firm evidence, but approving chronic pain as a qualifying condition is the compassionate thing to do to alleviate the suffering of Minnesota patients. Minnesota has now joined the majority of states that include intractable pain in their medical marijuana program list of qualifying conditions.