How Many Minnesota Medical Marijuana Registered Patients

What exercise you know almost medical marijuana?

4/xvi/2018 by Sonya Peters, PA-C

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Although prescribing it has been legal in Minnesota since July 2015, ask near people what they know about medical marijuana and the reply typically is, "Not much." The answers to these frequently asked questions should requite you lot an overview about what it is, what it's used to treat, how to annals and more. Recall, medical marijuana is not legal in all states; this information pertains to Minnesota.

What is medical marijuana?

Likewise known as medical cannabis, medical marijuana is made course the dried leaves and buds of the Cannabis sativa constitute. It can be inhaled, eaten in food, taken equally a pill or administered as an oil or nasal spray. Information technology is prescribed to ease pain, nausea and other side furnishings of medical treatments, and treat some diseases. Its effects may begin taking effect within xxx minutes or hours.

What conditions can be treated with medical marijuana?

In Minnesota, medical marijuana can be prescribed to treat:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Anorexia due to HIV/AIDS
Chronic pain
Crohn's disease
Epilepsy or seizures
Glaucoma, although the American University of Ophthalmology doesn't recommend medical marijuana
Multiple sclerosis or astringent musculus spasms
Nausea, vomiting or severe wasting associated with cancer treatment
Last illness
Tourette Syndrome

First August one, autism and obstructive sleep apnea volition be added to this list.

What practice I take to do to be treated with medical marijuana?

Start by having a conversation with your health care provider to determine if medical marijuana might be right for y'all. For many patients, peculiarly those with chronic pain who have tried everything from surgery to physical therapy, medical marijuana may give them the hurting relief they need. However, it is still a drug and has side furnishings. Brusk- and long-term furnishings include:

Habit, which occurs in well-nigh 10% of users who start smoking marijuana before historic period 25
Breathing bug, for people who fume marijuana
Dizziness
Dumb concentration and retention
Increased middle rate
Increased risk of heart assail or stroke
Mental illness in people with a tendency toward it
Negative drug-to-drug interactions
Slower reaction times
Withdrawal symptoms

If medical marijuana seems to exist a good choice for you, your provider volition certify that you lot have a qualifying condition with the Minnesota Department of Wellness (MDH). You then will need to register. You can observe more details most the process on the MDH site. There is a $200 annual registration fee, although you may qualify for a reduced fee.

Where will I go treatment?

Y'all volition need to go to ane of eight Cannabis Patient Centers in Minnesota; there is one in Rochester. At the center, a pharmacist will review your records and recommend a specific dosage and type of cannabis.

How much does medical marijuana toll?

The cost for your prescription will vary based on the type, quantity and other factors. Currently, health insurance plans don't cover medical marijuana, then this will be an out-of-pocket expense for y'all.

Does it piece of work?

While medical marijuana is still considered experimental, since condign legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia, more studies are beingness conducted on its effectiveness. According to a new study by the MDH, 42% of Minnesota patients taking medical cannabis for intractable pain reported pain reduction of 30% or more than. Another benefit: Of the 353 patients who said they had been taking opioids when they started medical marijuana therapy, 63% eliminated or reduced opioid use after six months. In my own practice, patients have been very happy with the results.

Where can I acquire more?

These sites are good resources for data about medical marijuana:

Mayo Clinic: Medical marijuana
Minnesota Department of Health: Medical cannabis
National Institutes of Health: Marijuana equally medicine

Sonya Peters is a dr. assistant with Employee and Community Wellness's (ECH) Division of Community Internal Medicine (CIM) at Mayo Family Clinic Northwest. Her areas of special interest are women's wellness and procedural medicine.