It turns out the 2021 legislative session was good for marijuana after all. Sure, a bill for full legalization made it only through the House and was never taken up in the Senate. But with little fanfare on the last day of the session Minnesota lawmakers voted to expand the stateâs medical cannabis program to allow patients to smoke the dried plant.
Minnesota has had a medical cannabis law on the books since 2014. But it s one of the nationâs most restrictive because it only allows for the delivery of cannabis in liquid, oil and pill forms. If Gov. Tim Walz signs the bill as expected, the law will soon allow for the combustion of dried raw cannabis.
Flower form of the medical cannabis should be more affordable and could potentially drive down the cost of other types of medical marijuana products in Minnesota
Those enrolled in Minnesota’s medical marijuana program are expected to have a more affordable option to the liquid, oil and pills currently allowed under one of the nation’s most restrictive medical cannabis laws.
Democratic Gov. Tim Walz was expected to sign the bill that passed the House and Senate this week to relax the program by including smokable marijuana.
Patrick McClellan, of Bloomington, uses marijuana to treat his rare form of muscular dystrophy. McClellan said the smokable option is the most important change to the medical marijuana program since it was passed in 2014.
The cost of liquid cannabis has been a barrier, he said.