A new delivery method for patients who use medical cannabis was approved by the Minnesota Department of Health this week.

Dry herb vaporization, a process commonly used in vape pens that heats plant material — cannabis in this case — so that the essential oils become inhalable vapor, joins other already available delivery methods for those who use medical cannabis such as sublingual tinctures, oil-based vaporizers and combustible smoking.

The decision to add dry herb vaporization was based on petitions received by the health department’s Office of Medical Cannabis from the public during the months of June and July in 2023.

According to a press release, the office also received petitions to add plants, concentrates, oil and weed nuggets, and rosin based delivery methods, but these were rejected due to not being “supported by peer-reviewed studies that demonstrate evidence of benefit to patients.”

Petitions also called for additional conditions that could make use of medical cannabis such as anxiety and ADHD, but these were not approved also due to a lack of evidence, according to the press release. Currently, there are 19 conditions that patients are eligible to use medical cannabis to treat, including cancer, HIV/AIDS, and chronic pain. More about conditions that are eligible can be found at the Department of Health’s web site health.state.mn.us/.

The new delivery methods will be available to patients starting Aug. 1, 2024.

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