Minnesota Medical Marijuana 2025 List of Conditions: Qualifying for the Program

Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program, established in 2014, provides patients with debilitating medical conditions access to medical marijuana to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. As of 2025, the program, overseen by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), recognizes a comprehensive list of qualifying conditions, with recent additions reflecting evolving medical research. This guide details the 2025 list of qualifying conditions for Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program, eligibility requirements, and how patients can enroll, complementing resources like our guide to qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card.

Overview of Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program

Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program allows registered patients to purchase medical marijuana from licensed dispensaries, offering products like flower, edibles, tinctures, and topicals. Unlike many states, Minnesota does not issue physical or digital medical marijuana cards; instead, patients enroll in the Medical Cannabis Registry, receiving approval to access cannabis after certification. The program’s accessibility has improved with the elimination of the $200 enrollment fee in July 2023 and the allowance of telemedicine certifications. With recreational cannabis legal but retail sales delayed until mid-2025, the medical program remains a critical pathway for patients needing immediate access. For a broader context, our blog on medical marijuana conditions in Michigan compares qualifying conditions across states.

Eligibility for the Medical Cannabis Program

To qualify for Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program, patients must meet two key requirements, as outlined by the Office of Cannabis Management:

• Residency: Be a Minnesota resident, verified by a government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license, state ID, or passport).
• Qualifying Condition: Have a diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition, certified by a Minnesota-licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse.

Minors under 18 can enroll with a registered caregiver (parent or guardian), requiring two certifications. Veterans may self-certify using a specific form, bypassing practitioner certification. Patients with conditions not explicitly listed may still qualify if their healthcare provider believes cannabis could benefit their health, as noted in our blog on Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program Registration.

Minnesota Medical Marijuana 2025 List of Qualifying Conditions

As of 2025, Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program recognizes 19 qualifying conditions, with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) added effective August 1, 2023. The OCM annually reviews petitions to expand this list, ensuring alignment with medical evidence. Below is the complete list of qualifying conditions:

• Alzheimer’s Disease: Cannabis may reduce agitation and improve sleep, as explored in our blog on medical marijuana and Alzheimer’s.
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Marijuana can alleviate muscle spasms and pain, per our article on cannabis for ALS.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder: Cannabis may reduce anxiety and behavioral challenges.
• Cancer (with severe/chronic pain, nausea, vomiting, or cachexia/severe wasting): Marijuana can mitigate chemotherapy side effects.
• Chronic Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder: Added in 2021, cannabis may reduce tics.
• Chronic Pain: A broad condition covering neuropathic or musculoskeletal pain, as discussed in how marijuana helps with pain.
• Glaucoma: Cannabis may lower intraocular pressure, per our blog on medical marijuana for glaucoma.
• HIV/AIDS: Marijuana can address nausea, appetite loss, and neuropathic pain.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (including Crohn’s Disease): Cannabis may reduce inflammation and pain.
• Intractable Pain: Pain unresponsive to standard treatments, added in 2016.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Added in 2023, cannabis may ease abdominal pain and irregular bowel movements.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Added in 2023, marijuana may reduce intrusive thoughts and anxiety.
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Cannabis may improve sleep quality.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Marijuana can reduce anxiety and nightmares, as noted in marijuana and PTSD.
• Seizures (including epilepsy): CBD can reduce seizure frequency, per our blog on medical marijuana and epilepsy.
• Severe and Persistent Muscle Spasms (e.g., from multiple sclerosis): Cannabis can relax muscles, as discussed in cannabis and multiple sclerosis.
• Sickle Cell Disease: Added in 2021, marijuana may alleviate chronic pain.
• Terminal Illness (with life expectancy under one year and severe pain, nausea, or wasting): Cannabis can improve comfort.
• Tourette’s Syndrome: Marijuana may reduce tics and associated anxiety.

Patients with cancer or terminal illnesses qualify only if their condition or treatment causes severe pain, nausea, vomiting, or cachexia. Healthcare providers may also recommend cannabis for unlisted conditions if they believe it could benefit the patient, offering flexibility.

Petitioning for New Conditions

Minnesota allows patients and advocates to petition the OCM annually (June–July) to add new qualifying conditions. The process involves submitting evidence, followed by a public comment period and review by a panel. For example, IBS and OCD were approved in 2023, while gastroparesis and opioid use disorder were rejected due to insufficient evidence or potential risks. Our blog on new studies about medical marijuana highlights ongoing research that may influence future additions.

Benefits of Enrolling with a Qualifying Condition

Enrolling in the Medical Cannabis Program offers several advantages, especially with recreational dispensaries not opening until mid-2025:

• Tax Exemption: Medical cannabis is not subject to the 6.875% sales tax or 10% retail tax applied to recreational purchases, saving significant costs.
• Access for Minors: Patients under 21 can enroll with caregiver support, unlike recreational users restricted to 21+.
• Personalized Care: Dispensary pharmacists provide tailored product recommendations, as noted in our blog on benefits of a medical card in recreational states.
• Legal Protections: Registered patients have stronger safeguards against workplace discrimination or federal scrutiny.

These benefits make enrollment particularly valuable for conditions like chronic pain or epilepsy, where consistent access is critical.

How to Enroll with a Qualifying Condition

Patients with a qualifying condition can enroll in the Medical Cannabis Registry by following these steps:

1. Consult a Practitioner: Schedule a telemedicine or in-person appointment with a Minnesota-licensed healthcare provider registered with the OCM. They will certify your qualifying condition, as discussed in our blog on finding a marijuana doctor online.
2. Receive Certification: After approval, you’ll get an email from the OCM with a registration link, valid for 60–90 days.
3. Submit Application: Complete the online enrollment form, uploading a government-issued ID. No state fee is required as of July 2023.
4. Await Approval: The OCM processes applications within 30 days, sending an approval email granting dispensary access after completing a Patient Self-Evaluation form.

Re-enrollment is required every three years, starting 60 days before expiration. Caregivers for minors or disabled patients must register separately, providing ID and, if applicable, legal documentation.

Challenges and Considerations

While the program is accessible, patients should consider:

• Certification Costs: Practitioner fees range from $125–$199, not covered by insurance.
• Limited Dispensaries: Only eight dispensaries operate statewide, requiring travel for some patients.
• Federal Restrictions: Cannabis remains federally illegal, potentially impacting employment or firearms ownership.

Patients should verify their condition’s eligibility and consult providers for streamlined certification.

Conclusion: Accessing Relief with Minnesota’s 2025 Qualifying Conditions

Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program offers a lifeline for patients with the 19 qualifying conditions listed for 2025, from chronic pain to OCD, providing tax-free access and personalized care. With no enrollment fee and telemedicine options, the program is more accessible than ever, especially as recreational sales remain unavailable until mid-2025. Resources like our guides to Oklahoma’s medical marijuana system and CBD’s potential can further support patients navigating their treatment options. As Minnesota continues to expand its program, patients with qualifying conditions can confidently pursue medical cannabis for safe, effective relief.