How to Become a Medical Cannabis Patient
Complete guide to enrolling in Minnesota's Medical Cannabis Program. Three simple steps: get certified, enroll online, and visit a dispensary.
1-2 Days
Total Timeline
$0
State Fee*
3 Steps
Simple Process
*State fee eliminated July 2023. Only cost is practitioner fee ($100-200).
No State Fee Since July 2023
Minnesota eliminated the $200 state registration fee on July 1, 2023. The only cost for your medical card is the doctor consultation fee (typically $100-200).
Screenshot from official OCM How to Become a Patient page
The 3-Step Enrollment Process
Follow these official steps from the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management
Get Certified by a Health Care Practitioner
Get Certified by a Health Care Practitioner
Visit a registered health care practitioner who can certify that you have a qualifying medical condition.
What You'll Do:
- Schedule an appointment with a certified practitioner (in-person or telehealth)
- Discuss your medical history and qualifying condition
- Provide your email address for enrollment link
- Practitioner submits certification to OCM electronically
Important: Your doctor does NOT give you the card - they only certify you. You must complete Step 2.
Enroll Online in the Medical Cannabis Registry
Enroll Online in the Medical Cannabis Registry
After certification, you'll receive an email with a link to complete your enrollment in the state registry.
What You'll Do:
- Check your email (including spam folder) for OCM enrollment link
- Click the personalized link to access the registry
- Upload a photo of your Minnesota ID or driver's license
- Complete the online application form
- Submit and wait for confirmation
What You'll Need:
- Valid Minnesota Driver's License or State ID
- Mobile device to capture ID photo
- Email address (same one given to practitioner)
Important: Registration links can expire. Complete enrollment within a few days of receiving the email.
Get Your Medicine at a Dispensary
Get Your Medicine at a Dispensary
Once approved, complete a Patient Self-Evaluation online, then visit any Minnesota medical cannabis dispensary.
What You'll Do:
- Complete the Patient Self-Evaluation (PSE) in your registry account
- Find a dispensary near you
- Bring required items to your first visit
- Consult with dispensary pharmacist about products
What to Bring to the Dispensary:
- Photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
- List of current medications
- Visit summary from your certifying practitioner (if available)
- Your confirmation email (on phone or printed)
Official OCM guidance on what to bring to your first dispensary visit
Who can be certified
Minn. Stat. 342.01, subd. 63, still lists qualifying diagnoses, including autism spectrum disorder. Effective July 1, 2024, the statute also counts a condition for which a health care practitioner has recommended, approved, or authorized cannabis. The qualifying definition was expanded with that practitioner option, and the listed diagnoses remain. This page does not reprint the 19 diagnoses.
Read the medical card eligibility section and the condition guides. Anxiety has its own page because people search for it: medical cannabis and anxiety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Downloadable Resources
Official PDF guides from the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management, available in multiple languages.
Related Resources
Ready to Get Started?
Most patients complete the entire process in 1-2 days. Telehealth appointments make it even faster - get certified from the comfort of home.