Concerns Remain As Minnesota’s Medical Marijuana Sites Grow

ST. PAUL (AP) - Minnesota is expected to have eight medical marijuana clinics open this summer, but some observers are wondering whether there's enough patient demand.

The state had predicted about 5,000 patients would quickly flood to the clinics as soon as they opened. Minnesota Health Department data shows 1,300 patients, who live an average of 46 miles from the closest clinic, have been approved so far.

In addition to distance, some patients also are concerned about the cost of medical marijuana.

Minnesota Medical Solutions CEO Dr. Kyle Kingsley says the biggest reason behind the low demand is the short list of qualifying conditions.

Only nine conditions, including seizures, muscle spasms and Crohn's disease, qualified when the state program began. A tenth condition, intractable pain, was later added.