ST. PAUL - Most medical marijuana patients who took a state survey say they benefited from the newly allowed treatment.
About 90 percent of the patients responding to the survey reported mild to significant benefits, the state Health Department reported Monday. About 20 percent reported non-life-threatening side effects.
The biggest problem the survey showed was that 73 percent said medical marijuana is expensive. It generally is not covered by insurance.
Patients have been able to use medical marijuana since July 1, 2015, if their doctor approves.
The department reported that 241 of the 435 patients who received marijuana from two companies authorized to grow and sell it in the state responded to the survey.
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Most side effects they reported were minor, but four said they experienced an increase in seizures.
Other side effects mentioned were dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, feeling high, sleepiness, stomach pains, burning sensation in the mouth and paranoia.
Marijuana may be used for a limited number of medical conditions. The three conditions that attracted the most users are severe muscle spasms, seizures and cancer.
More information on the medical marijuana program is available at www.health.state.mn.us/topics/cannabis .
