Intractable? Key Word In Medical Marijuana Expansion

ST. PAUL (AP) — One word carries a lot of weight in Minnesota health officials' decision to expand its medical marijuana program to pain patients: intractable.

Intractable pain is defined in state law as pain that can't be removed or otherwise treated through normal medical methods. That means it will limit the new drug only to residents suffering agonizing pain that doctors can't treat.

Jeff Ross is a 55-year-old with constant pain from compounding back issues. He's skeptical that the doctors will allow him to use medical marijuana based on the law's strict language.

Medical marijuana went on sale this July to residents suffering a handful of serious conditions. It will be available to pain patients starting in August.