Unlike most other states, Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program is overseen by the Department of Health and mandates that MN licensed Pharmacists meet with patients to develop a plan of care. Product selection and dosing are determined by the Pharmacist in consultation with the patient.
Whether you are a prospective patient or you are simply curious about the patient experience at LeafLine Labs, we have consulted with our Pharmacy Team to provide insight on the role of pharmacists in the Minnesota medical cannabis program.
When you first come to a LeafLine Labs Care Center, you will meet with a Patient Care Coordinator to fill out initial paperwork. A Pharmacist then conducts an Initial Consult, which can last 30-45 minutes. As part of the Initial Consult, Pharmacists gather information from you (or a caregiver/guardian). We discuss past medical history, all current medications including other cannabis use, current and past diagnoses, any treatments for your qualifying condition, as well as other conditions or symptoms presently of concern. We screen for elements in past or current history that may warrant special consideration in LeafLine Labs medication therapy initiation, such as drug interactions or other medical conditions. Information you provide to the Minnesota Department of Health on a Self-Evaluation is incorporated into our internal LeafLine Electronic Health Record and reviewed with you.
After a thorough consultation, you and the pharmacist agree on an initial plan of therapy designed to meet your goals for symptom relief. We educate you on all aspects of how to use your new medicine, as well as what to expect for effects and side effects. You will purchase your medicine at the end of the consult, right from the dispensary in the Care Center.
Generally, we like to see you for a Return Consultation after about 2 weeks of using Medical Cannabis, so we can “fine tune†the medication plan to best help you. From there, you and the Pharmacist have an ongoing relationship for follow-up consultations and dosing adjustments as needed.