The Associated Press is reporting (via WCCO) in Dayton Won’t Rule Out Medical Marijuana Changes:
It’ll be six months before Minnesota’s medical marijuana program goes live, but Gov. Mark Dayton says he’s willing to consider pleas to expand the list of qualifying health conditions.
In an interview Monday with The Associated Press, Dayton says he would listen to the advice of his Department of Health and medical experts about potential changes in the session that starts in January. But Dayton says he’s firm about restricting the forms of the drug. . . .
The possibility of adding additional conditions isn't exactly unexpected. Indeed, the Minnesota Department of Health's webpage, General Information about the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program, notes:
The bill directs the Commissioner of Health to consider the addition of other conditions, particularly intractable pain (as defined in statute) by July 1, 2016.
Minnesota's medical cannabis law can be read here.
The section of the law related to adding intractable pain:
INTRACTABLE PAIN.
The commissioner of health shall consider the addition of intractable pain, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 152.125, subdivision 1, to the list of qualifying medical conditions under Minnesota Statutes, section 152.22, subdivision 14, prior to the consideration of any other new qualifying medical conditions. The commissioner shall report findings on the need for adding intractable pain to the list of qualifying medical conditions to the task force established under Minnesota Statutes, section 152.36, no later than July 1, 2016.
Bluestem welcomes Dayton's open-mindedness about the law and the work of his Commissioner of Health.
Photo: A vial of medical cannabis oil. While full plant extracts from the two manufacturers will be legal under the law, the unprocessed leaves of the plant may not be used. While Dayton is open for adding some conditions, he's deadset on changing this provision in current statute.
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