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The Minnesota Department of Health has added to the list of qualifying conditions for which medical marijuana can be recommended, expanding one of the strictest MMJ programs in the country. As of next July, patients suffering from autism spectrum disorders and sleep apnea will get the chance to explore medical cannabis as a treatment. Once they have enrolled in the program, these patients will be able to purchase medical cannabis from one of the state’s two licensed manufacturers starting August 1st.
“Any policy decisions about cannabis are difficult due to the relative lack of published scientific evidence,” Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger said in a statement, MPR News reports. “However, there is increasing evidence for potential benefits of medical cannabis for those with severe autism and obstructive sleep apnea.” The statement notes that the department’s research “identified some scientific evidence of effectiveness of cannabis treatments” in treating sleep apnea.
The statement also highlights that the Health Department conducted a study on treatments for autism-related disorders, and found that the “lack of effective drug treatments, the potentially severe side…
