1.1A bill for an act1.2relating to health; providing for medical cannabis therapeutic research study; 1.3creating account; providing appointments; requiring rulemaking; requiring 1.4reports; appropriating money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 1.5256B.0625, subdivision 13d; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota 1.6Statutes, chapter 152.1.7BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:1.8    Section 1. [152.22] MEDICAL CANNABIS THERAPEUTIC RESEARCH 1.9STUDY.1.10    Subdivision 1.Definitions.(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms 1.11have the meanings given.1.12(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of health.1.13(c) "Health care practitioner" means a Minnesota licensed doctor of medicine, a 1.14Minnesota licensed physician assistant acting within the scope of authorized practice, or a 1.15Minnesota licensed advanced practice registered nurse, who has the primary responsibility 1.16for the care and treatment of the qualifying medical condition of a person diagnosed with 1.17a qualifying medical condition under this section.1.18(d) "Health records" means health record as defined in section 144.291.1.19(e) "Medical cannabis" means the flowers of any species of the genus cannabis plant, 1.20or any mixture or preparation of them, including extracts and resins which contain a 1.21chemical composition determined to likely be medically beneficial by the commissioner, 1.22and that is delivered in the form of:1.23(1) liquid, including, but not limited to, oil;1.24(2) pill;2.1(3) vaporized delivery method with use of liquid or oil but which does not require 2.2the use of dried leaves or plant form; or2.3(4) any other method approved by the commissioner but which shall not include 2.4smoking.2.5(f) "Medical cannabis manufacturer" or "manufacturer" means an entity registered 2.6by the commissioner to cultivate, acquire, manufacture, possess, prepare, transfer, 2.7transport, supply, or dispense medical cannabis, delivery devices, or related supplies and 2.8educational materials to patients with a qualifying medical condition who are enrolled 2.9in the registry program.2.10(g) "Medical cannabis product" means medical cannabis as defined in paragraph 2.11(e) and any delivery device or related supplies and educational materials used in the 2.12administration of medical cannabis for a patient with a qualifying medical condition 2.13enrolled in the registry program.2.14(h) "Patient" means a Minnesota resident who has been diagnosed by a health care 2.15practitioner with a qualifying medical condition and who has otherwise met any other 2.16requirements of patients under this section to participate in the registry program.2.17(i) "Patient registry number" means a unique identification number assigned to a 2.18patient by the commissioner after the commissioner has enrolled the patient in the registry 2.19program.2.20(j) "Registered designated caregiver" means a person who is at least 21 years old and 2.21who has been approved by the commissioner to assist a patient who has been identified 2.22by a health care provider as developmentally or physically disabled and therefore unable 2.23to self-administer medication, and who is authorized by the commissioner to administer 2.24medical cannabis to the patient only within the patient's primary place of residence;2.25(k) "Registry program" means the patient registry established under this section.2.26(l) "Registry verification" means the verification provided by the commissioner that 2.27a patient is enrolled in the registry program and that includes the patient's name, patient 2.28registry number, qualifying medical condition, and, if applicable, the name of the patient's 2.29registered designated caregiver or parent or legal guardian.2.30(m) "Qualifying medical condition" means a diagnosis of the following conditions:2.31(1) cancer;2.32(2) glaucoma;2.33(3) human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome;2.34(4) Tourette's syndrome;2.35(5) amyotrophic lateral sclerosis;2.36(6) seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy;3.1(7) severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple 3.2sclerosis;3.3(8) Crohn's disease; or3.4(9) any other medical condition or its treatment approved by the commissioner.3.5    Subd. 2.Limitations.This section does not permit any person to engage in and 3.6does not prevent the imposition of any civil, criminal, or other penalties for:3.7(1) undertaking any task under the influence of medical cannabis that would 3.8constitute negligence or professional malpractice;3.9(2) possessing or engaging in the use of medical cannabis on:3.10(i) a school bus or van, which will be punishable in the same manner in which 3.11possession of a controlled substance in a school zone is punishable under this chapter;3.12(ii) on the grounds of any preschool or primary or secondary school;3.13(iii) in any correctional facility; or3.14(iv) the grounds of any child care facility or home daycare, which will be punishable 3.15in the same manner in which possession of a controlled substance in a school zone 3.16is punishable under this chapter;3.17(3) vaporizing medical cannabis pursuant to subdivision 1, paragraph (e):3.18(i) on any form of public transportation;3.19(ii) where the vapor would be inhaled by a nonpatient minor child; or3.20(iii) in any public place; and3.21(4) operating, navigating, or being in actual physical control of any motor vehicle, 3.22aircraft, train, or motorboat, or working on transportation property, equipment, or facilities 3.23while under the influence of medical cannabis.3.24    Subd. 3.Federally approved clinical trials.The commissioner may prohibit 3.25enrollment of a patient in the registry program if the patient is simultaneously enrolled in a 3.26federally approved clinical trial for the treatment of a qualifying medical condition with 3.27medical cannabis. The commissioner shall provide information to all patients enrolled in 3.28the registry program on the existence of federally approved clinical trials for the treatment 3.29of the patient's qualifying medical condition with medical cannabis, as an alternative to 3.30enrollment in the patient registry program.3.31    Subd. 4.Commissioner duties.(a) The commissioner shall register one in-state 3.32manufacturer for the production of all medical cannabis products within the state by 3.33December 1, 2014, unless the commissioner obtains an adequate supply of federally 3.34sourced medical cannabis products by August 1, 2014. The commissioner shall register 3.35a new manufacturer or reregister the existing manufacturer by December 1 of each 3.36year, thereafter using the factors described in paragraph (b). The commissioner shall 4.1continue to accept applications after December 1, 2014, if no manufacturer that meets 4.2the qualifications set forth in this subdivision applies prior to December 1, 2014. The 4.3commissioner's determination that no manufacturer exists to fulfill the duties under this 4.4section is subject to judicial review in Ramsey County District Court. Data obtained 4.5during the application process is governed by section 13.591. As a condition for 4.6registration, the commissioner shall require the manufacturer to:4.7(1) supply medical cannabis products to patients by July 1, 2015; and4.8(2) comply with all requirements under subdivision 8.4.9(b) The commissioner shall consider the following factors when determining which 4.10manufacturer to register:4.11(1) the technical expertise of the manufacturer in cultivating medical cannabis and 4.12converting the medical cannabis into an acceptable delivery method under subdivision 1, 4.13paragraph (e);4.14(2) the qualifications of the manufacturer's employees;4.15(3) the long-term financial stability of the manufacturer;4.16(4) the ability to provide appropriate security measures on the premises of the 4.17manufacturer;4.18(5) whether the manufacturer has demonstrated an ability to meet the medical 4.19cannabis production needs required by this section; and4.20(6) the manufacturer's projection and ongoing assessment of fee levels on patients 4.21with a qualifying condition.4.22(c) The commissioner shall require the medical cannabis manufacturer to contract 4.23with an independent laboratory to test medical cannabis produced by the manufacturer. 4.24The commissioner shall approve the laboratory chosen by the manufacturer and require 4.25that the laboratory report testing results to the manufacturer in a manner determined by 4.26the commissioner.4.27(d) The commissioner shall review and publicly report the existing medical and 4.28scientific literature regarding the range of recommended dosages for each qualifying 4.29condition and the range of chemical compositions of any plant of the genus cannabis that 4.30will likely be medically beneficial for each of the qualifying medical conditions. The 4.31commissioner shall make this information available to patients with qualifying conditions 4.32beginning December 1, 2014. The commissioner may consult with the independent 4.33laboratory under contract with the manufacturer or other experts in reporting the range of 4.34recommended dosage for each qualifying condition, the range of chemical compositions 4.35that will likely be medically beneficial, and any risks of noncannabis drug interactions. 4.36The commissioner shall consult with the manufacturer on an annual basis on medical 5.1cannabis products offered by the manufacturer. The list of medical cannabis products shall 5.2be published on the Health Department Web site.5.3(e) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary for the manufacturer to begin 5.4distribution of medical cannabis products to patients under the registry program by July 1, 5.52015, and have notice of proposed rules published in the State Register prior to January 5.61, 2015.5.7(f) The commissioner shall, within 30 days of a deadline listed in this section, advise 5.8the public and the co-chairs of the task force on medical cannabis therapeutic research if 5.9the commissioner is unable to complete any requirements under this section by the deadline 5.10listed in this section. The commissioner shall provide a written statement as to the reason or 5.11reasons the deadline will not be met. Upon request of the commissioner, the task force shall 5.12extend any deadline by six months, but may not extend any deadline more than three times.5.13(g) The commissioner shall provide regular updates to the task force on medical 5.14cannabis therapeutic research regarding any changes in federal law or regulatory 5.15restrictions regarding the use of medical cannabis.5.16(h) The commissioner may submit medical research based on the data collected 5.17under this section to any federal agency with regulatory or enforcement authority over 5.18medical cannabis to demonstrate the efficacy of medical cannabis for treating a qualifying 5.19medical condition.5.20    Subd. 5.Rulemaking.The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this 5.21section. Rules for which notice is published in the State Register before January 1, 2015 5.22may be adopted using the process in section 14.389.5.23    Subd. 6.Patient registry program established.(a) The commissioner of health 5.24shall establish a patient registry program to evaluate data on patient demographics, 5.25effective treatment options, clinical outcomes, and quality-of-life outcomes for the purpose 5.26of reporting on the benefits, risks, and outcomes regarding patients with a qualifying 5.27medical condition engaged in the therapeutic use of medical cannabis.5.28(b) The commissioner shall:5.29(1) give notice of the program to health care practitioners in the state who are 5.30eligible to serve as a health care practitioner as defined in subdivision 1, paragraph (c), 5.31and explain the purposes and requirements of the program;5.32(2) allow each health care practitioner in the state who meets or agrees to meet the 5.33program's requirements and who requests to participate, to be included in the registry 5.34program to collect data for the patient registry;6.1(3) provide explanatory information and assistance to each health care practitioner 6.2in understanding the nature of therapeutic use of medical cannabis within program 6.3requirements;6.4(4) create and provide a certification to be used by a health practitioner for the 6.5practitioner to certify whether a patient has been diagnosed with a qualifying medical 6.6condition and include in the certification an option for the practitioner to certify whether the 6.7patient, in the health care practitioner's medical opinion, is developmentally or physically 6.8disabled and, as a result of that disability, the patient is unable to self-administer medication;6.9(5) supervise the participation of the health care practitioner in conducting patient 6.10treatment and health records reporting in a manner that ensures stringent security and 6.11record-keeping requirements and that prevents the unauthorized release of private data on 6.12individuals as defined by section 13.02;6.13(6) develop safety criteria for patients with a qualifying condition as a requirement of 6.14the patient's participation in the program, to prevent the patient from undertaking any task 6.15under the influence of medical cannabis that would constitute negligence or professional 6.16malpractice on the part of the patient; and6.17(7) conduct research and studies based on data from health records submitted to 6.18the registry program and submit reports on intermediate or final research results to the 6.19legislature and major scientific journals. The commissioner may contract with a third 6.20party to complete the requirements of this clause.6.21(c) The commissioner shall develop a patient application for enrollment into the 6.22registry program. The application shall be available to the patient and given to health care 6.23practitioners in the state who are eligible to serve as a health care practitioner as defined 6.24under subdivision 1, paragraph (c). The application must include:6.25(1) the name, mailing address, and date of birth of the qualifying patient;6.26(2) the name, mailing address, and telephone number of the qualifying patient's 6.27health care practitioner;6.28(3) the name, mailing address, and date of birth of the patient's designated caregiver, 6.29if any, or, if the patient is under age 18, the patient's parent or legal guardian;6.30(4) a copy of the certification from the patient's health care practitioner that is dated 6.31within 90 days prior to submitting the application which certifies that the patient has been 6.32diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition and, if applicable, that, in the health care 6.33practitioner's medical opinion, the patient is developmentally or physically disabled and, 6.34as a result of that disability, the patient is unable to self-administer medication; and6.35(5) all other signed affidavits and enrollment forms required by the commissioner 6.36under this section, including, but not limited to, the disclosure under paragraph (e).7.1(d) The commissioner shall register a single designated caregiver for a patient if the 7.2patient's health care provider certified that the patient, in the health care practitioner's 7.3medical opinion, is developmentally or physically disabled and, as a result of that 7.4disability, the patient is unable to self-administer medication and the caregiver has agreed, 7.5in writing, to be a patient's designated caregiver. As a condition of registration as a 7.6designated caregiver, the commissioner shall require the person:7.7(1) to be at least 21 years of age;7.8(2) to not already be registered as a caregiver for another patient enrolled in the 7.9registry program;7.10(3) to agree to only possess any medical cannabis product for purposes of 7.11administration of the medical cannabis to the patient within the patient's primary place of 7.12residence; and7.13(4) to agree that if the application is approved, the patient's designated caregiver will 7.14not be a registered designated caregiver for more than one patient.7.15(e) The commissioner shall develop a disclosure form and require, as a condition of 7.16enrollment, all patients to sign a copy of the disclosure. The disclosure must include:7.17(1) a statement that notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commissioner of 7.18health, or an employee of any state agency, may not be held civilly or criminally liable for 7.19any injury, loss of property, personal injury, or death caused by any act or omission while 7.20acting within the scope of office or employment under this section; and7.21(2) the patient's acknowledgement that enrollment in the patient registry program is 7.22conditional on the patient's agreement to meet all of the requirements of subdivision 9;7.23(f) After receipt of a patient's application and signed disclosure, the commissioner 7.24shall enroll the patient in the registry program and assign the patient a patient registry 7.25number. A patient's enrollment in the registry program shall only be denied if the patient:7.26(1) does not have certification from a health care provider that the patient has been 7.27diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition; 7.28(2) has not signed and returned the disclosure form required under paragraph (d) to 7.29the commissioner;7.30(3) does not provide the information required;7.31(4) has previously been removed from the registry program for violations of 7.32subdivision 9; or7.33(5) provides false information.7.34(g) The commissioner shall give written notice to a patient of the reason for denying 7.35enrollment in the registry program.8.1(h) Denial of enrollment into the registry program is considered a final decision of 8.2the commissioner and is subject to judicial review under the Administrative Procedure 8.3Act pursuant to chapter 14.8.4(i) A patient's enrollment in the registry program may only be revoked if a patient 8.5violates a requirement in subdivision 9.8.6(j) The commissioner shall develop a registry verification to provide to the health 8.7care practitioner identified in the patient's application and to the manufacturer. The 8.8registry verification shall include:8.9(1) the patient's name and date of birth;8.10(2) the patient registry number assigned to the patient;8.11(3) the patient's qualifying medical condition as provided by the patient's health care 8.12provider in the certification; and8.13(4) the name and date of birth of the patient's registered designated caregiver, if any, 8.14or, if the patient is under age 18, the name of the patient's parent or legal guardian.8.15(k) If the commissioner adds a delivery form under subdivision 1, paragraph (e), or a 8.16qualifying medical condition under subdivision 1, paragraph (m), the commissioner shall 8.17notify the legislature by January 15 of any year in which the commissioner wishes to make 8.18the change. The change shall be effective on August 1 of that year, unless the legislature 8.19by law provides otherwise. As part of the January submission, the commissioner shall 8.20notify the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative policy committees 8.21having jurisdiction over health and public safety of the addition and the reasons for its 8.22addition, including any written comments received by the commissioner from the public 8.23and any guidance received from the task force on medical cannabis research.8.24(l) Nothing in this section requires the medical assistance and MinnesotaCare 8.25programs to reimburse an enrollee or a provider for costs associated with the medical use 8.26of cannabis. Medical assistance and MinnesotaCare shall continue to reimburse providers 8.27for covered services related to treatment of a recipient's qualifying medical condition.8.28(m) The establishment of the registry program is not intended in any manner 8.29whatsoever to condone or promote the illicit recreational use of marijuana.8.30    Subd. 7.Health care practitioner duties.(a) Prior to a patient's enrollment in the 8.31registry program, a health care practitioner shall:8.32(1) determine, in the health care practitioner's medical judgment, whether a patient 8.33suffers from a qualifying medical condition as defined in subdivision 1, paragraph (m), 8.34and if so determined, provide the patient with a certification of that diagnosis;9.1(2) determine whether a patient is developmentally or physically disabled and, as 9.2a result of that disability, the patient is unable to self-administer medication, and, if so 9.3determined, include that determination on the patient's certification of diagnosis; 9.4(3) advise patients, registered designated caregivers, and parents or legal guardians 9.5of patients under age 18 of the existence of any nonprofit patient support groups or 9.6organizations;9.7(4) provide explanatory information from the commissioner to patients with 9.8qualifying medical conditions, including disclosure to all patients about the experimental 9.9nature of therapeutic use of medical cannabis, the possible risks and side effects of the 9.10proposed treatment, the application and other materials from the commissioner, and provide 9.11patients with the Tennessen warning as required by section 13.04, subdivision 2; and9.12(5) agree to continue treatment of the patient's qualifying medical condition and 9.13report medical findings to the commissioner.9.14(b) Upon notification from the commissioner of the patient's enrollment in the 9.15registry program, the health care practitioner shall:9.16(1) participate in the patient registry reporting system under the guidance and 9.17supervision of the commissioner of health;9.18(2) report health records of the patient throughout the ongoing treatment of the 9.19patient to the commissioner in a manner determined by the commissioner of health and in 9.20accordance with paragraph (c); and9.21(3) otherwise comply with all requirements developed by the commissioner.9.22(c) Data collected on patients by a health care practitioner and reported to the patient 9.23registry are health records under section 144.291 and are private data on individuals under 9.24section 13.02 but may be used or reported in an aggregated, nonidentifiable form as part of 9.25a scientific, peer-reviewed publication of research conducted under this section or in the 9.26creation of summary data, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 19.9.27(d) Nothing in this section requires a health care practitioner to enroll patients in the 9.28registry created by this section.9.29    Subd. 8.Manufacturer of medical cannabis duties.(a) The manufacturer of 9.30medical cannabis shall provide a reliable and ongoing supply of all medical cannabis 9.31products needed for the registry program.9.32(b) All cultivation, harvesting, manufacturing, and packing of cannabis must take 9.33place in an enclosed, locked facility at a physical address provided to the commissioner 9.34during the registration process.9.35(c) The manufacturer may operate up to two satellite distribution centers, located 9.36throughout the state to improve patient access, where the manufacturer may distribute 10.1medical cannabis products in addition to the manufacturer's primary location. The 10.2manufacturer shall disclose the proposed locations for the distribution centers to the 10.3commissioner during the registration process. The distribution centers may not contain 10.4any medical cannabis products in a form other than those forms allowed under subdivision 10.51, paragraph (e), and the manufacturer shall not conduct any cultivation, harvesting, 10.6manufacturing, packaging, or processing at the distribution center site. Any distribution 10.7center operated by the manufacturer is subject to all of the requirements applying to the 10.8manufacturer under this subdivision, including, but not limited to, security and distribution 10.9requirements.10.10(d) The medical cannabis manufacturer shall produce medical cannabis with 10.11chemical compositions as determined by the commissioner.10.12(e) The medical cannabis manufacturer shall contract with a laboratory, subject to 10.13the commissioner's approval of the laboratory and any additional requirements set by the 10.14commissioner, for purposes of testing medical cannabis manufactured by the medical 10.15cannabis manufacturer as to content, contamination, and consistency to verify the medical 10.16cannabis meets the requirements of subdivision 1, paragraph (e). The cost of lab testing 10.17shall be paid by the manufacturer.10.18(f) The manufacturer must process and prepare any cannabis plant material into a form 10.19allowable under subdivision 1, paragraph (e), prior to distribution of any medical cannabis.10.20(g) The manufacturer shall require that any employee licensed as a pharmacist 10.21pursuant to chapter 151 and the rules promulgated pursuant to that chapter be the only 10.22employees to distribute the medical cannabis to a patient.10.23(h) The manufacturer shall only distribute medical cannabis products to the patient 10.24or, if the patient is under age 18, to the patient's parent or legal guardian.10.25(i) Prior to distribution of any medical cannabis products to any patient or, if the 10.26patient is under age 18, the patient's parent of legal guardian, the manufacturer shall:10.27(1) verify that the manufacturer has received the registry verification from the 10.28commissioner for that individual patient;10.29(2) verify that the person requesting the distribution of medical cannabis is the 10.30patient, or, if the patient is under age 18, the patient's parent or legal guardian, listed in the 10.31registry verification, in accordance with section 152.11, subdivision 2d;10.32(3) assign a tracking number to each individual medical cannabis product;10.33(4) ensure that any employee of the manufacturer licensed as a pharmacist pursuant 10.34to chapter 151 and the rules promulgated pursuant to that chapter has consulted with the 10.35patient to determine the proper dosage for the individual patient based on the ranges of 11.1chemical compositions of the medical cannabis and the ranges of proper dosages reported 11.2by the commissioner;11.3(5) properly label each medical cannabis product with individually identifying 11.4information, including:11.5(i) the patient's name and date of birth;11.6(ii) the name and date of birth of the patient's registered designated caregiver, or, 11.7if the patient is under age 18, the name of the patient's parent or legal guardian, if either 11.8were included on the registry verification;11.9(iii) the patient's registry number;11.10(iv) the chemical composition of the medical cannabis; and11.11(v) the dosage; and11.12(6) ensure that the medical cannabis distributed to a patient contains a maximum of a 11.1330-day supply of the dosage determined for that patient.11.14(j) If the patient has a registered designated caregiver, the manufacturer shall deliver 11.15properly labeled medical cannabis products to the patient or the patient's registered 11.16designated caregiver but only at the patient's primary residence. The manufacturer shall 11.17verify that the person to whom the medical cannabis product is being delivered is either 11.18the patient or the patient's registered designated caregiver, in accordance with section 11.19152.11, subdivision 2d. The manufacturer shall not distribute medical cannabis products 11.20to a registered designated caregiver at the premises of the manufacturer.11.21(k) The manufacturer shall report to the commissioner, on a monthly basis, the 11.22following information on each individual patient from the month prior to the report:11.23(1) the amount and dosages of medical cannabis products distributed;11.24(2) the chemical composition of the medical cannabis; and11.25(3) the tracking number assigned to any medical cannabis product distributed.11.26(l) The operating documents of the manufacturer must include:11.27(1) procedures for the oversight of the manufacturer and procedures to ensure 11.28accurate record keeping; and 11.29(2) procedures for the implementation of appropriate security measures to deter and 11.30prevent the theft of cannabis and unauthorized entrance into areas containing cannabis.11.31(m) The manufacturer shall not share office space with, refer patients to a health care 11.32practitioner, or have any financial relationship with a health care practitioner.11.33(n) The manufacturer shall not permit any person to consume cannabis on the 11.34property of the manufacturer.11.35(o) The manufacturer is subject to reasonable inspection by the commissioner.12.1(p) For purposes of this section only, the medical cannabis manufacturer is not 12.2subject to the Board of Pharmacy licensure or regulatory requirements under chapter 151.12.3(q) A medical cannabis manufacturer may not employ or otherwise allow any person 12.4who is under 21 years of age or who has been convicted of a disqualifying felony offense 12.5to be an employee of the medical cannabis organization. For purposes of this paragraph, a 12.6disqualifying felony offense means a violation of a state or federal controlled substance law 12.7that is classified as a felony under Minnesota law, or would be classified as a felony under 12.8Minnesota law if committed in Minnesota, regardless of the sentence imposed, unless the 12.9person's conviction was for the medical use of cannabis or assisting with the medical use 12.10of cannabis in accordance with any other state's law. An employee of a medical cannabis 12.11manufacturer must submit a completed criminal history records check consent form, a 12.12full set of fingerprints and the required fees for submission to the Bureau of Criminal 12.13Apprehension before an employee may begin working with the manufacturer. The bureau 12.14must conduct a Minnesota criminal history records check and the superintendent is 12.15authorized to exchange the fingerprints with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to obtain 12.16the applicant's national criminal history record information. The bureau will return the 12.17results of the Minnesota and federal criminal history records checks to the commissioner.12.18    Subd. 9.Patient duties.(a) A patient shall apply to the commissioner for enrollment 12.19in the registry program by submitting an application, as defined in subdivision 6, paragraph 12.20(c), and an annual registration fee as determined under subdivision 13, paragraph (a).12.21(b) As a condition of continued enrollment, a patient shall agree to:12.22(1) continue to receive regularly scheduled treatment for their qualifying medical 12.23condition from their health care practitioner; and12.24(2) report changes in their qualifying medical condition to their health care 12.25practitioner.12.26    Subd. 10.Data practices.(a) Government data in patient files maintained by the 12.27commissioner and the health care practitioner, and data submitted to or by the medical 12.28cannabis manufacturer, are private data on individuals, as defined in section 13.02, 12.29subdivision 12, or nonpublic data, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 9, and may be 12.30used for purposes of complying with chapter 13 and complying with a request from the 12.31legislative auditor in the performance of official duties. The provisions of section 13.05, 12.32subdivision 11, apply to a registration agreement entered between the commissioner and a 12.33medical cannabis manufacturer under this section.12.34(b) Not public data maintained by the commissioner may not be used for any 12.35purpose not provided for in this section, and may not be combined or linked in any manner 12.36with any other list, dataset, or database.13.1    Subd. 11.Protections for registry program participation; criminal and civil.(a) 13.2There is a presumption that a patient enrolled in the registry program under this section is 13.3engaged in the authorized use of medical cannabis.13.4(b) The presumption may be rebutted by evidence that conduct related to use of 13.5medical cannabis was not for the purpose of treating or alleviating the patient's qualifying 13.6medical condition or symptoms associated with the patient's qualifying medical condition 13.7pursuant to this section.13.8(c) For the purposes of this section only, subject to subdivision 2, the following are 13.9not violations under this chapter:13.10(1) use or possession of medical cannabis products by a patient enrolled in the 13.11registry program, or possession by the parent or guardian of a patient under age 18;13.12(2) possession of medical cannabis products by a registered designated caregiver, 13.13only if the registered designated caregiver is in possession of the medical cannabis 13.14products within the primary residence of the individual patient in which the caregiver has 13.15been registered to assist;13.16(3) possession, dosage determination, or sale of medical cannabis products by the 13.17medical cannabis manufacturer, employees of the manufacturer, the laboratory conducting 13.18testing on medical marijuana products, or employees of the laboratory; and13.19(4) possession of medical cannabis products by any person while carrying out the 13.20duties required under this section.13.21(d) Medical cannabis obtained and distributed pursuant to this section and associated 13.22property is not subject to forfeiture under sections 609.531 to 609.5316.13.23(e) The commissioner, the commissioner's staff, the commissioner's agents or 13.24contractors and any health care practitioner are not subject to any civil or disciplinary 13.25penalties by the Board of Medical Practice or by any business, occupational, or 13.26professional licensing board or entity, solely for the participation in the registry program 13.27under this section. Nothing in this section prohibits a professional licensing board for 13.28sanctioning actions outside of those actions allowed under this section.13.29(f) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commissioner of health, the 13.30governor of Minnesota, or an employee of any state agency, may not be held civilly or 13.31criminally liable for any injury, loss of property, personal injury, or death caused by any 13.32act or omission while acting within the scope of office or employment under this section.13.33(g) Federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities are prohibited from accessing 13.34the patient registry under this section except when acting pursuant to a valid search warrant. 13.35(h) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, neither the commissioner nor a public 13.36employee may release data or information about an individual contained in any report, 14.1document, or registry created under this section or any information obtained about a 14.2patient participating in the program, except as provided in this section. No information 14.3contained in a report, document, registry, or obtained from a patient under this section 14.4may be used against a patient in a criminal proceeding unless independently obtained or in 14.5connection with a proceeding involving a violation of this section.14.6(i) Any person who violates paragraph (g) or (h) is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.14.7    Subd. 12.Discrimination prohibited.(a) No school or landlord may refuse to 14.8enroll or lease to and may not otherwise penalize a person solely for the person's status as 14.9a patient enrolled in the registry program under this section, unless failing to do so would 14.10violate federal law or regulations or cause the school or landlord to lose a monetary or 14.11licensing-related benefit under federal law or regulations.14.12(b) For the purposes of medical care, including organ transplants, a registry program 14.13enrollee's use of medical cannabis under this section is considered the equivalent of the 14.14authorized use of any other medication used at the discretion of a physician and does 14.15not constitute the use of an illicit substance or otherwise disqualify a qualifying patient 14.16from needed medical care.14.17(c) Unless a failure to do so would violate federal law or regulations or cause an 14.18employer to lose a monetary or licensing-related benefit under federal law or regulations, 14.19an employer may not discriminate against a person in hiring, termination, or any term or 14.20condition of employment, or otherwise penalize a person, if the discrimination is based 14.21upon either of the following:14.22(1) the person's status as a patient enrolled in the registry program under this section; 14.23or14.24(2) a patient's positive drug test for cannabis components or metabolites, unless the 14.25patient used, possessed, or was impaired by medical cannabis on the premises of the place 14.26of employment or during the hours of employment.14.27(d) A person shall not be denied custody of or visitation rights or parenting time 14.28with a minor solely for the person's status as a patient enrolled in the registry program 14.29under this section, and there shall be no presumption of neglect or child endangerment 14.30for conduct allowed under this section, unless the person's behavior is such that it creates 14.31an unreasonable danger to the safety of the minor as established by clear and convincing 14.32evidence.14.33    Subd. 13.Fees; deposit of revenue.(a) The commissioner shall collect an 14.34enrollment fee of $200 from qualified patients enrolled under this section. If the patient 14.35attests to receiving Social Security disability, Supplemental Security Insurance payments, 14.36or being enrolled in medical assistance or MinnesotaCare then the fee shall be $50. 15.1The fees shall be payable annually and are due on the anniversary date of the patient's 15.2enrollment. The fee amount shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the 15.3state government special revenue fund.15.4(b) The commissioner shall collect an application fee of $20,000 from each entity 15.5submitting an application for registration as a medical cannabis manufacturer. Revenue 15.6from the fee shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the state government 15.7special revenue fund. If an entity is not selected to be registered as a medical cannabis 15.8manufacturer, the commissioner shall refund $19,000 to the entity.15.9(c) The commissioner shall collect an annual fee from a medical cannabis 15.10manufacturer equal to the cost of regulating and inspecting the manufacturer in that year. 15.11Revenue from the fee amount shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to 15.12the state government special revenue fund.15.13(d) The medical cannabis manufacturer may charge patients enrolled in the registry 15.14program a reasonable fee for costs associated with the operations of the manufacturer. 15.15The manufacturer may charge fees associated with the delivery of medical cannabis 15.16pursuant to subdivision 8, paragraph (i), but shall only charge the fee to those patients 15.17who received the delivery service. The manufacturer may establish a sliding scale of 15.18patient fees based upon a qualifying patient's household income and may accept private 15.19donations to reduce patient fees.15.20    Subd. 14.Nursing facilities.Nursing facilities licensed under chapter 144A, or 15.21boarding care homes licensed under section 144.50, may adopt reasonable restrictions on 15.22the use of medical cannabis by persons receiving services. The restrictions may include a 15.23provision that the facility will not store or maintain the patient's supply of medical cannabis, 15.24that the facility is not responsible for providing the medical cannabis for qualifying patients, 15.25and that medical cannabis be consumed only in a place specified by the facility. Nothing 15.26contained in this section shall require the facilities to adopt such restrictions, and no 15.27facility shall unreasonably limit a qualifying patient's access to or use of medical cannabis.15.28    Sec. 2. [152.24] IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF MEDICAL CANNABIS 15.29THERAPEUTIC RESEARCH.15.30    Subdivision 1.Task force on medical cannabis therapeutic research.(a) A 15.3123-member task force on medical cannabis therapeutic research is created to conduct an 15.32impact assessment of medical cannabis therapeutic research. The task force shall consist 15.33of the following members:15.34    (1) two members of the house of representatives, one selected by the speaker of the 15.35house, the other selected by the minority leader;16.1    (2) two members of the senate, one selected by the majority leader, the other 16.2selected by the minority leader;16.3    (3) four members representing consumers or patients enrolled in the registry 16.4program, including at least two parents of patients under age 18;16.5    (4) four members representing health care providers, including one licensed 16.6pharmacist;16.7    (5) four members representing law enforcement, one from the Minnesota Chiefs of 16.8Police Association, one from the Minnesota Sheriff's Association, one from the Minnesota 16.9Police and Peace Officers Association, and one from the Minnesota County Attorneys 16.10Association;16.11    (6) four members representing substance use disorder treatment providers; and16.12    (7) the commissioners of health, human services, and public safety.16.13    (b) Task force members listed under paragraph (a), clauses (3), (4), (5), and (6), shall 16.14be appointed by the governor. Members shall serve on the task force at the pleasure of 16.15the appointing authority.16.16    (c) There shall be two cochairs of the task force chosen from the members listed 16.17under paragraph (a). One cochair shall be selected by the speaker of the house and 16.18the other cochair shall be selected by the majority leader of the senate. The expense 16.19reimbursement for members of the task force is governed by section 15.059.16.20    (d) Members of the task force other than those in paragraph (a), clauses (1), (2), and 16.21(7), shall receive expenses as provided in section 15.059, subdivision 6.16.22    Subd. 2.Impact assessment.The task force shall hold hearings to conduct 16.23an assessment that evaluates the impact of the use of medical cannabis and evaluate 16.24Minnesota's activities and other states' activities involving medical cannabis, and offer 16.25analysis of:16.26    (1) program design and implementation;16.27    (2) the impact on the health care provider community;16.28    (3) patient experiences;16.29    (4) the impact on the incidence of substance abuse;16.30    (5) access to and quality of medical products;16.31    (6) the impact on law enforcement and prosecutions;16.32    (7) public awareness and perception; and16.33    (8) any unintended consequences.16.34    Subd. 3.Reports to the legislature.(a) The cochairs shall submit the following 16.35reports to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and 17.1divisions with jurisdiction over health and human services, public safety, judiciary, and 17.2civil law:17.3    (1) by February 1, 2015, a report on the design and implementation of the registry 17.4program; and17.5    (2) every two years thereafter, a complete report on the impact assessment.17.6    (b) The task force may make recommendations to the legislature on whether to add 17.7or remove conditions from the list of qualifying medical conditions.17.8    Subd. 4.Expiration.The task force on medical cannabis therapeutic research 17.9does not expire.17.10    Sec. 3. [152.25] FINANCIAL EXAMINATIONS; PRICING REVIEWS.17.11    Subdivision 1.Financial records.A medical cannabis manufacturer shall maintain 17.12detailed financial records in a manner and format approved by the commissioner of health, 17.13and shall keep all records updated and accessible to the commissioner when requested.17.14    Subd. 2.Certified annual audit.A medical cannabis manufacturer shall submit 17.15the results of an annual certified financial audit to the commissioner no later than 17.16May 1 of each year. The annual audit shall be conducted by an independent certified 17.17public accountant; the costs of such audit are the responsibility of the medical cannabis 17.18manufacturer. Results of the audit shall be provided to the medical cannabis manufacturer 17.19and the commissioner. The commissioner may also require another audit of the medical 17.20cannabis manufacturer by a certified public accountant chosen by the commissioner with 17.21the costs of the audit paid by the medical cannabis manufacturer.17.22    Subd. 3.Power to examine.(a) The commissioner or designee may examine the 17.23business affairs and conditions of any medical cannabis manufacturer, including but not 17.24limited to a review of the financing, budgets, revenues, sales, and pricing. 17.25(b) An examination may cover the medical cannabis manufacturer's business affairs, 17.26practices, and conditions including but not limited to a review of the financing, budgets, 17.27revenues, sales, and pricing. The commissioner shall determine the nature and scope of 17.28each examination and in doing so shall take into account all available relevant factors 17.29concerning the financial and business affairs, practices, and conditions of the examinee. 17.30The costs incurred by the department in conducting such examination shall be paid for by 17.31the medical cannabis manufacturer.17.32(c) When making an examination under this section, the commissioner may retain 17.33attorneys, appraisers, independent economists, independent certified public accountants, 17.34or other professionals and specialists as designees. A certified public accountant retained 18.1by the commissioner may not be the same certified public accountant providing the 18.2certified annual audit in subdivision 2.18.3(d) The commissioner shall make a report of an examination conducted pursuant to 18.4this chapter and shall provide a copy of the report to the medical cannabis manufacturer. 18.5The commissioner shall then post a copy of the report on the department's Website. All 18.6working papers, recorded information, documents, and copies thereof produced by, 18.7obtained by, or disclosed to the commissioner or any other person in the course of an 18.8examination, other than the information contained in any commissioner official report, 18.9made under this subdivision is not public data.18.10    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 256B.0625, subdivision 13d, is amended to 18.11read:18.12    Subd. 13d. Drug formulary. (a) The commissioner shall establish a drug 18.13formulary. Its establishment and publication shall not be subject to the requirements of the 18.14Administrative Procedure Act, but the Formulary Committee shall review and comment 18.15on the formulary contents.18.16    (b) The formulary shall not include:18.17    (1) drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients, or products for which there is no 18.18federal funding;18.19    (2) over-the-counter drugs, except as provided in subdivision 13;18.20    (3) drugs or active pharmaceutical ingredients used for weight loss, except that 18.21medically necessary lipase inhibitors may be covered for a recipient with type II diabetes;18.22    (4) drugs or active pharmaceutical ingredients when used for the treatment of 18.23impotence or erectile dysfunction;18.24    (5) drugs or active pharmaceutical ingredients for which medical value has not 18.25been established; and18.26    (6) drugs from manufacturers who have not signed a rebate agreement with the 18.27Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to section 1927 of title XIX of the 18.28Social Security Act.; and18.29(7) medical cannabis as defined under section 152.22.18.30    (c) If a single-source drug used by at least two percent of the fee-for-service 18.31medical assistance recipients is removed from the formulary due to the failure of the 18.32manufacturer to sign a rebate agreement with the Department of Health and Human 18.33Services, the commissioner shall notify prescribing practitioners within 30 days of 18.34receiving notification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that a 18.35rebate agreement was not signed.19.1    Sec. 5. RULES; ADVERSE INCIDENTS.19.2(a) The commissioner of health shall adopt rules to establish requirements for 19.3reporting incidents when individuals who are not authorized to possess medical cannabis 19.4under Minnesota Statutes, section 152.22, subdivision 11, are found in possession of 19.5medical cannabis. The rules must identify professionals required to report, the information 19.6they are required to report, and actions the reporter must take to secure the medical cannabis.19.7(b) The commissioner of health shall adopt rules to establish requirements for law 19.8enforcement officials and health professionals to report incidents involving an overdose of 19.9medical cannabis to the commissioner of health.19.10(c) Rules must include the method by which the commissioner will collect and 19.11tabulate reports of unauthorized possession and overdose.19.12    Sec. 6. INTRACTABLE PAIN.19.13The commissioner of health shall consider the addition of intractable pain, as defined 19.14in Minnesota Statutes, section 152.125, subdivision 1, to the list of qualifying medical 19.15conditions under Minnesota Statutes, section 152.22, subdivision 1, paragraph (m), prior 19.16to the consideration of any other new qualifying medical conditions. The commissioner 19.17shall report findings on the need for adding intractable pain to the list of qualifying 19.18medical conditions to the task force established under Minnesota Statutes, section 152.24, 19.19no later than July 1, 2016.19.20    Sec. 7. APPROPRIATIONS, MEDICAL CANNABIS RESEARCH.19.21    Subdivision 1.Health Department.$2,795,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 19.222015 from the general fund to the commissioner of health for the costs of administering 19.23Minnesota Statutes, section 152.22. The base for this appropriation is $829,000 in fiscal 19.24year 2016 and $728,000 in fiscal year 2017.19.25    Subd. 2.Legislative Coordinating Commission.$24,000 is appropriated in 19.26fiscal year 2015 from the general fund to the Legislative Coordinating Commission to 19.27administer the task force on medical cannabis therapeutic research and for the task force to 19.28conduct the impact assessment on the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.19.29    Subd. 3.Health Department.$24,000 in fiscal year 2015 is appropriated from the 19.30state government special revenue fund to the commissioner of health for the costs of 19.31implementing Minnesota Statutes, section 152.22. The base for this appropriation is 19.32$734,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $722,000 in fiscal year 2017.20.1    Sec. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE.20.2Sections 1 to 7 are effective the day following final enactment.