Health Department Releases New Numbers On Medical Marijuana Sign-Ups
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- The numbers are out on the first week of registration for patients who want to use medical marijuana. Right now, eight Minnesotans are in the medical cannabis registry. Beginning July 1st, they'll be able to get a prescription for medical marijuana in the form of capsules and oils.
According to the Department of Health, 27 patients have been certified by their doctor. Fifty-four doctors are registered and authorized to certify patients. That's out of 104 applications.
A survey of Minnesota doctors finds only nine percent plan to take part in the program. About 68 percent say they will not, and the rest are undecided. That is significant because patients must have their condition certified by a doctor before they can register to buy the medical marijuana
The assistant commissioner with the Minnesota Department of Health, Manny Munson-Regala said the numbers are not a cause for concern.
"We would expect that over time, what we've seen in other states is what we call the hockey stick enrollment - kind of flat in the beginning, and then ramping up as providers get comfortable with the program."
LeafLine Labs is one of the states two medical cannabis manufacturers. Dr. Andrew Bachman, co-founder and chief medical officer said he's pleased to see the continued growth in registration numbers "particularly from healthcare practitioners who will help Minnesota's patients in need get the medicine they deserve. These figures are in line with our expectations for the first week of Minnesota's Medical Cannabis Program, and we look forward to seeing more patients and health care practitioners sign up for the program in the weeks and months ahead. We already have several appointments arranged for July 1 at our Eagan Care Center, and are prepared to scale as the program grows."
What may be contributing to the low numbers is some doctors admit they are concerned they'll lose control of their patients care.
"They want to know how it's going to practically impact their practice protocols. The concern that they don't have enough control over the medication and the amount and the dosage, that's frankly a curve ball to us," Munson-Regala said.
Bachman said Leafline already has several appointments for July 1 at the Eagan Care Center. That is the first day patients can get prescriptions.
For more information, practitioners, patients and others can visit the Office of Medical Cannabis website, or call MDH at 651-201-5598, or toll free at 844-879-3381, or email health.cannabis@state.mn.us.
