Minnesota will become the 22nd state to sell medical marijuana when sales begin on Wednesday. However, Minnesota's approach will be unlike any of the other states' systems. For patients that qualify, Minnesota will only be offering the drug in the form of pills, oils, and vapors. Smoking marijuana will not be allowed. Moreover, the drug will only be dispensed in eight locations in the entire state, many of which are far from rural Minnesota areas.
For the marijuana industry, this strict approach is a first and many aren't convinced that it will go smoothly, The Associated Press reports. Likely, it will result in high costs, low accessibility, and doctors that are hesitant to participate. But marijuana advocates say that in a state where the victory was a surprise in the first place, this step is better than nothing. As Andrew Bachman, co-founder of one of the state's medical marijuana manufacturers, told The Associated Press, "Ideology does not change overnight. It's important to start somewhere."
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