Medical Cannabis Registry Program

• Establishes a patient registry program administered by the Commissioner of Health to allow Minnesota residents with qualifying medical conditions to legally use medical cannabis under medical supervision.

• Registers two in-state manufacturers by December 1, 2014 (or later if federally-sourced cannabis is unavailable), each operating one production facility and four distribution facilities statewide, with first distribution by July 1, 2015.

• Permits use of medical cannabis in forms of liquid, oil, pills, or vaporized delivery (excluding smoking) for 10 qualifying conditions including cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, and terminal illness, with commissioners able to add conditions.

• Requires patient enrollment fees ($200 annually, $50 for low-income patients), manufacturer application fees ($20,000), and annual regulatory fees; prohibits Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare coverage of cannabis costs but requires coverage of related treatments.

• Provides legal protections for enrolled patients, designated caregivers, healthcare practitioners, and manufacturers from criminal penalties and civil liability; establishes penalties for diversion, false statements, and unauthorized possession; and creates a 23-member legislative task force to assess the program's impact through 2019.