Minnesota’s medical marijuana program, which has 51,000 registered participants, is facing significant challenges due to proposed new rules for obtaining licenses to grow and sell both recreational and medicinal marijuana. There are growing concerns that these changes could jeopardize the viability of the medical program, essential for many patients.
Maren Schroeder, a consultant and lobbyist for Blunt Strategies, has voiced her concerns regarding the economic pressures facing current businesses involved in the medical marijuana sector. According to Schroeder, these businesses may be forced to withdraw from the medicinal program because the new regulations create financial risks that are difficult to manage. She emphasized that larger operators might exit the market, saying, “I think we’re going to see the large operators forced to pull out.”
Schroeder explained that for every cannabis plant grown for recreational use, two must be cultivated for the medical program. Additionally, growers are required to keep recreational and medicinal products separate, which adds to operational costs. She noted that while the same equipment can be used, the production process is inefficient due to the need for thorough cleaning between batches: “Cannabinoid products cannot be done together… It’s just incredibly inefficient.”
Patrick McClellan, a patient who relies on medicinal marijuana, highlighted the potential fallout of larger producers leaving the program. He warned that if these producers withdraw, people with serious health conditions, such as ALS and cancer, would face increased challenges. McClellan stressed the importance of medical guidance, stating, “We lose the high-potency medications, we lose housing protections, we lose employment protections, hospital protections, and we get higher prices.”
In light of these concerns, both Schroeder and McClellan are actively collaborating with state lawmakers to modify the regulations in a way that would preserve the integrity and accessibility of Minnesota’s medicinal marijuana program.
