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Minnesota Cannabis Clinics Open Doors to Chronic Pain Patients

Stephen Calabria

Cannabis clinics across the state of Minnesota on Monday opened their doors for the first time to patients suffering from intractable pain, heralding a small yet real step in the state and nation’s progress in approaching medicinal cannabis.

The Minnesota medical cannabis law first went into effect on July 1, 2015, but was only available to those patients suffering from a specific number of medical conditions, which include Tourette’s Syndrome, cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, and terminal illnesses, among other ailments. Chronic pain is the 10th condition to be added to the list.

Now, the availability of the substance to those suffering from chronic pain — a decision reached in December by the state’s health commissioner — offers hope to thousands statewide who have been forced to endure continued suffering.

“This is an absolutely revolutionary day for providers and patients in Minnesota,” says physician Andrew Bachman, who also serves as the CEO of LeafLine Labs, one of the two companies approved by the state to grow and distribute medical cannabis. “You could see hope and relief in people’s eyes today.”

minnesota-medical-marijuana-july-1-800x504A total of 481 patients suffering from intractable pain joined the program last month, marking the highest number of patients to join the program in a single month since the program’s inception. A total of 625 physicians have also signed up to be able to prescribe the substance.

The news was greeted by future and prospective patients suffering from chronic pain. Judy Severson — a 70-year-old grandmother of eight who became the first pain patient at Minnesota Medical Solutions, located in Bloomington — could hardly contain her enthusiasm.

“I am so excited about this program. I’ve waited a long time. The quality of life that I could have, the promise of that is overwhelming,” she exclaimed. “It wears you down terribly to be in pain all the time.”

The treatment of chronic pain is only one reason for observers’ optimism: the use of medical cannabis has also been shown to decrease addiction to opioids and prescription painkillers. Such medications are often used to treat chronic pain and are regularly accompanied by devastating side effects, addiction included.

According to Kyle Kingsley, the CEO of MinnMed, the program gives renewed hope to those suffering from addiction to prescription painkillers.

“This really is the kind of shot in the arm that the program needs, that’s going to really increase visibility and help get people off opioid pain medications,” he said.

Despite the program’s promise, however, there are reasons for observers to temper their heightened expectations. While current enrollment in the program has increased to 1,827 as of July 29, which nonetheless falls short of the 5,000 expected when the program was originally launched.

Image: Cannablog
Image: Cannablog

Minnesota also retains tight restrictions on both the patients who qualify for use of the substance, and the method by which cannabis may be imbibed: the state’s medical cannabis program does not allow for a smokable or edible product, instead limiting the substance to either pill or liquid form. Such restrictions could limit the level to which the program is able to grow.

Despite the potential setbacks, however, members of the medical community are conscientious about the program’s potential.

“Web hits, cold calls to our office, emails from other providers, all that has really increased substantially,” said Dr. Matthew Thorson, a pain specialist. “It’s really gone beyond what I initially expected. We’ve seen just a massive amount of interest in this.”

screen-shot-2015-06-01-at-6-12-08-amPatients may receive medical cannabis at any of the state’s eight cannabis patient center locations.

 

 

 

 

Stephen Calabria is a New York City-based journalist and a media advisor for nyvapeshop.com.

Stephen Calabria
'Stephen Calabria is a New York City-based journalist and a media advisor for www.nyvapeshop.com'
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