Can I be/have a caregiver for a medical marijuana patient in Minnesota?

Yes, medical marijuana patients in Minnesota can have a caregiver. Caregivers will complete their own application and must be added to the patient's Medical Cannabis Registry profile.

Caregiver Requirements:

• At least 18 years old (21 or older to pick up or assist with raw cannabis medications).

• Must register with Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program.

• Must complete a background check (unless a parent/guardian or spouse). Caregivers must update their background check every two years.

• At this time, there is no limit to the number of Caregivers a Patient can have. Approved Caregivers can pick up cannabis medications for patients at up to 6 addresses.

To apply as a caregiver, follow this process:

1. Make sure that your patient has added you to their Medical Cannabis Registry profile, which will generate your registration email.
2. Retrieve email and submit background check request form
   1. Login to your email account and open your email notification with the subject line, MN Dept. of Health: Caregiver Enrollment. To be approved as a caregiver, you must pass a background check and complete your enrollment.
      
      To obtain your background check, click on the link in your email to access the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Background Check Request form.
      
      Move onto Step 3 if you have already mailed in your completed Background Check Request form along with a $15 check and an envelope addressed to Office of Medical Cannabis. The background check process normally takes two weeks.
   2. If you would like to print this form now, select “File” and then choose “Print.”
   3. Select “Print” on the next screen. On the printout, fill in the answers and sign the request form.
      
      Make your $15 check payable to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
      
      Place a stamp on an envelope and address it to:
      Office of Medical Cannabis
      PO Box 64882
      St. Paul, MN 55164-0882
3. Access your enrollment link and complete your application
   
   1. Return to your registration email and click on “Medical Cannabis Registry (click here).”
   2. Click on “Create a password” to begin. On the next screen, create a password and store it in a secured area. Your password is case sensitive and must meet the minimum requirements. Click on “Next” to continue as shown by the red arrow below.
   3. On this page, type your information into the corresponding fields and click on “Upload” to attach your government-issued photo identification, such as a state identification or driver’s license.
   4. On the next screen, locate and upload the image file of your government-issued photo identification. Image file type must be JPG, GIF, TIF, or PNG AND smaller than 4 MB. Click on “Open” to continue.
   5. The image selected will now appear in the application. Check the boxes on the bottom left, read the acknowledgement and agreement in the pop-up screen, and then select “Agree.” Click “Submit” to continue.
   6. After you have successfully created your account, the Office of Medical Cannabis will then process the application in the order it was received when your background check arrives.
   7. You will receive an approval email when your application is approved.
      
      

State Resources:

• Caregiver Registration Guide
• Minor Child Registration Guide