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How to Become a Caregiver
Sometimes patients need help administering their medical cannabis or picking up their medicine from a Medical Cannabis Dispensary. That’s when a caregiver can provide support.
To qualify as a designated caregiver, you must register with Minnesota’s Medical Cannabis Program and complete a background check. Caregivers must be at least 18 years old.
Are you a spouse or parent/legal guardian of a patient?
NOTE: A patient’s spouse or their parent/legal guardian can act as a caregiver, but they are not required to complete a background check. Learn more in the next section.
Important details for a patient’s spouse, parent or legal guardian
When a patient is completing their online enrollment application, they can add the name and contact information for their spouse, parent or legal guardian to act as a caregiver.
In addition to providing an electronic copy of their government-issued photo ID, the following materials are required:
- Spouse - proof of marriage.
- Parent - copy of the patient’s birth or adoption certificate.
- Legal guardian – copy of their legal guardianship papers.
How to register as a caregiver
Your patient must add you to their Medical Cannabis Registry profile. This will generate an email to you with instructions on completing your two-step registration.
To complete the online portion of your registration, you will need your:
- Government-issued photo ID, driver’s license or passport.
- Mobile device to capture an image of your ID.
You will be required to upload an electronic copy of your government-issued photo ID (state ID, driver’s license, or passport). The form will allow you to select a scanned copy of an image or use a photo of your ID you took with your mobile device.
Completing a background check
As part of the process to become a registered caregiver, you must complete a background check (requires a $15 check). Caregivers must update their background check every two years.
Once you completed the online portion of the registration, download the Designated Background Check Informed Consent form from the link provided in your email or go to the Designated Caregiver Background Check Informed Consent (PDF).
After you have filled out this form:
- Write a $15 check payable to: MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
- Place a stamp on an empty envelope, addressed to:
Office of Medical Cannabis
PO Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
- Put your completed form, the $15 check, and the empty stamped addressed envelope in a separate envelope and mail all three items to:
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Avenue E
St. Paul, MN 55106
NOTE: Background checks can take up to 30 days to process.
Once your background check and registration are approved, you and your patient will be notified by email that you can pick up your patient’s medical cannabis.