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New Numbers Expected Monday On Medical Marijuana Registrations

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- We expect to get new numbers Monday from the state on medical marijuana registrations.

In just 23 days, Minnesota patients will be able to get medical marijuana in the form of capsules and oils to treat certain medical conditions. But registration has gotten off to a very slow start.

So far, only five patients and 30 doctors have signed up for the program. A survey of Minnesota doctors finds only nine percent plan to take part in the program. About 68 percent say they will not, and the rest are undecided.

That is significant because patients must have their condition certified by a doctor before they can register to buy the medical marijuana. Some doctors say they don't want to take part because their patients are handed over to pharmacists, and they lose control over their care.

Officials with the Minnesota Department of Health say when the bill was being drafted, doctors said they wanted less involvement to minimize risk to their practice.

"The concern that they don't have enough control of the medication and the amount and dosage is frankly a curve ball to us. It came as a surprise to us that some physician groups are citing that as a reason for no participation," Manny Munson-Regala, assistant commissioner at the health department, said.

Other physicians say they want to learn more about the program and how it affects their practice.

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