Medical Marijuana Patients In Minnesota Approved To Use Dry Herb Vaporization As Delivery Method

The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed Thursday it will add dry herb vaporization to the list of approved delivery methods in the state’s medical marijuana program. Under state law, the new delivery method will be available to patients beginning Aug. 1, 2024.

Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham approved the new delivery method to provide an additional fast-acting option for patients.

Currently, patients enrolled in Minnesota’s medical cannabis program have three fast-acting options – sublingual tinctures, oil-based vaporizers, and combustible smoking. Fast-acting products can take anywhere from one to 15 minutes for the effects to set in. These products tend to last anywhere from one to four hours. Dry herb vaporization provides patients with an alternative to combustion smoking.

The Minnesota Department of Health’s Office of Medical Cannabis (OMC) received seven petitions to add new delivery methods during the 2023 process. Petitions for plants, concentrates, oil and weed nuggets, and rosin were dismissed, while the petition for dry herb vaporization was moved forward. The failed petitions were not supported by peer-reviewed studies that demonstrate evidence of benefit to patients.

Petitions to add conditions including anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and opioid use disorder were also denied due to a lack of evidence or because they had been previously considered.

See Also: Minnesota School Allows Medical Marijuana For Student With Autism, Gov's Cannabis Appointment Sparks Investigation

When the Minnesota Legislature authorized the creation of the state’s medical cannabis program, the law included nine conditions that qualified a patient to receive medical cannabis. Today, the list of qualifying conditions is 19.

Meanwhile, the Office of Cannabis Management is soliciting public input on regulations for the state's burgeoning marijuana industry, with a focus on cultivation, processing and product manufacturing.

This milestone in the state’s medical marijuana program comes on the heels of Minnesota law enforcement confirming preparations to implement saliva-based roadside impairment tests for cannabis.

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