Minnesota’s medical marijuana program a “complete failure”

Group says program needs to go beyond cannabis oil

The Minnesota medical marijuana program opened up a large expansion Monday.

But it’s a program that is completely doomed according to Jennessa Lee with NORML, a nonprofit, public-interest lobby for those who oppose marijuana prohibition.

“We kind of have this illusion of a working medical cannabis program in Minnesota, but it is a complete failure,” Lee said. “To rectify that failure, we need to get full plant medicine into the program, and we need to open it up to allow more people to access the program.”

The expansion will allow those who are suffering from chronic pain, with “intractable pain” be allowed treatment with cannabis in oil form. And, therein lies the problem, says Lee.

“Liquid oil cannabis is expensive,” Lee said. “A four-day supply is $228 – four-five days.

“(Plus), you can only get so much per purchase, and each patient is different as to how much they need for relief. Medical marijuana is not covered by insurance.”

Last week, Minnesota state health officials said 481 pain patients had preregistered through their doctors to become eligible for medical marijuana.