Glaucoma and medical marijuana in Minnesota: do you qualify?
Yes. The Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program lists Glaucoma as a qualifying condition. A Minnesota-licensed provider still has to evaluate you and agree that cannabis is appropriate.
About glaucoma
Weak evidence. Cannabis lowers eye pressure for only a few hours at a time. The National Academies found limited evidence that cannabinoids are an ineffective treatment for glaucoma, and eye specialists don't recommend it in place of standard care.
Symptoms Minnesota patients most often hope to ease:
- High eye pressure that is hard to control
- Eye pain or headaches linked to eye pressure
- Side effects or difficulty using daily eye drops
- Worry about vision loss
- Trouble sleeping
Read more: medical marijuana for glaucoma.
How to get certified in Minnesota
- See a Minnesota-licensed physician, physician assistant or APRN (telehealth is allowed) and give them your email address.
- The practitioner certifies your condition in the Medical Cannabis Registry, and you'll get an email with your personal registration link.
- Using that link, enroll online within 90 days of the certification, uploading a photo of an accepted ID and adding a caregiver if needed.
- Wait for approval by email, which can take up to 30 days.
- Schedule a dispensary visit, complete the patient self-evaluation in your registry account, and bring your photo ID, medication list and visit summary.
- A pharmacist at the dispensary reviews your account and recommends products.
Minnesota allows the evaluation by telehealth, so you can see a Minnesota-licensed provider by video. Our evaluation starts at $79 and is charged only if you're approved.
Costs and timeline
- State fee: No enrollment fee (eliminated July 1, 2023)
- Card lasts: 3 years
- Processing: Up to 30 days after a complete application is received
- Patient limit: Patients and caregivers are exempt from the adult-use possession limits for patient-specific, labeled medical cannabis flower and products
- Home grow: A registered caregiver may grow up to 8 plants for the patient household; adults 21+ may also grow under the adult-use law
- Recreational sales: Legal for adults 21+
- First visit online: Yes
See the full Minnesota cost breakdown and Minnesota program overview.
Other qualifying conditions in Minnesota
- ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
- Alzheimer's disease
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Cachexia & wasting syndrome
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Crohn's & IBD
- Epilepsy & seizures
- HIV/AIDS
- Insomnia
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Nausea & appetite loss
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Obstructive sleep apnea
See every qualifying condition in Minnesota
Glaucoma in nearby states
- Glaucoma in North Dakota
- Glaucoma in South Dakota
Frequently asked questions
Do I need medical records for glaucoma?
How long does certification take in Minnesota?
Can I renew online in Minnesota?
Sources
- OCM - Qualifying Medical Conditions
- OCM - Minnesota's Medical Cannabis Program Patient Guide (Jan 2025)
- Minn. Stat. 342.52 - Patient registry program
- Minn. Stat. 342.51 - Medical cannabis endorsements and distribution
- OCM - Frequently Asked Questions (Division of Medical Cannabis)
- National Academies — The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (2017)
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Laws change — confirm details with your state agency. State facts last checked October 7, 2026.