Medical Pot Distribution Center Readies For 1st Wave Of Patients
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- In just five days, approved patients will start receiving medical marijuana under Minnesota's new cannabis program.
The state selected LeafLine Labs and Minnesota Medical Solutions to grow and distribute medical cannabis in the form of pills or oils.
On Friday, Medical Solutions offered a tour of its patient center. The facility will open July 1 at midnight.
Minnesota Medical Solutions CEO Dr. Kyle Kingsley said security will be tight at the center. The only people allowed inside are patients, parents and registered caregivers.
When patients arrive for the first time they'll go through a consultation and get information about possible side effects.
The cannabis patient center is located on 9th Street South, the former site of the League of Catholic Women.
As on Monday, the latest records show 41 patients have been approved by the state to pick up medical marijuana.
Minnesota Medical Solutions expects to have a full roster on the first day. Kingsley said about 20 patients have already made appointments.
"A lot of the industry perpetuates the myth that cannabis is the miracle cure and that is most definitely not the case," Kingsley said. "For some patients, this is going to be a substantial improvement in their lives. [For] terminally ill folks it's a very good treatment for a lot of them. Managing that expectation is very difficult. That is part of the consultation process. We very much emphasize with folks this is not a guaranteed cure."
Medical Solutions plans to start patients with a small dosage of medical marijuana. Initially, they'll receive a seven-day supply. Eventually, on a patient-by-patient basis that will increase to 30 days.
The average cost per patient is estimated to range from $300-$600 every month.