ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota health officials are adding Alzheimer's disease as a qualifying condition to get medical marijuana.
The state Health Department announced Monday that the new condition would take effect in August 2019. Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says there is "some evidence" that marijuana improves the mood, sleep and behavior of people with Alzheimer's.
The department takes public input on what conditions might be added to quality for the state's medical marijuana program. Alzheimer's was one of seven suggested additions. Among those that didn't make the cut: Panic disorder, psoriasis and traumatic brain injury.
Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia.
“There's an epidemic of Alzheimer's that the state of Minnesota is facing and, indeed, the entire country,” said Dr. William Orr, Founder and CEO of Orr Memory Clinic. “And so we're looking for valuable tools that will be part of our armor to help these people.”
Minnesota lawmakers legalized medical marijuana in 2014. It's currently approved for such conditions as cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS and intractable pain.
