Medical Marijuana Update

This was a quiet week on the medical marijuana front, but a couple of important changes happened on 1 July.

Minnesota

As of last Friday, chronic pain patients qualify for medical marijuana. As of 1 July, intractable chronic pain that can’t be controlled with existing treatments is approved for medical marijuana use. The state Department of Health added intractable pain to the list of qualifying conditions effective today, the 1-year anniversary of the beginning of medical marijuana availability in the state.

Washington

As of last Friday, the medical marijuana system has been folded into the state’s adult sales system. As of 1 July, medical and recreational cannabis sales are combined, and only shops that have sought a special license can advise patients on medical use. All dispensaries that are not licensed under the new scheme were to shut down by Midnight 30 June. Only patients registered with the state will be able to avoid paying sales tax on their cannabis purchases.

For extensive information about this debate, presented in a neutral format, visit MedicalMarijuana.ProCon.org.

By Phillip Smith

Paul Ebeling, Editor

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