Minnesota has finally hired a director to lead its recently created Office of medical cannabis. The Legislature has finally agreed for limited cannabis usage this year and in order to manage the program in an organized manner, the Minnesota Department of Health nominated Michelle Larson as the Director.

The Office of Medical Cannabis has taken about one year to set up the system on a statewide scale, which can produce marijuana, distribute it, and also regulate its usage. Larson has been given this responsibility after he served as the director of the health department’s Office of Statewide Health Improvement, where he dealt with various server issues like obesity, tobacco, and nutrition.

The to-do list of Larson for the next couple of months would mainly include the screening process, the manufacturers’ selection, which will provide medical marijuana designing rules to manage the operation of the dispensary system and also constructing a patient registry.

Minnesota offers one of the very restrictive medical marijuana laws in the 23 states, which have legalized marijuana usage. From the 15th of July, patients dealing with severe medical conditions such as seizure disorders, cancer, terminal illness, and even glaucoma, will be able to buy marijuana legally in liquid, pill or in any other non-smokable forms.

About two in-state makers would produce all the medical cannabis needed for Minnesota, which will later be distributed through eight different dispensaries in the state. Cannabis/marijuana cancer cure programs have indeed been a blessing for the patients in states like Colorado where cannabis has been completely legalized.

Ed Ehlinger, the Minnesota Health Commissioner stated that the medical cannabis program would demand to ramp up quite quickly. He also praised Larson and said that he is a health specialist who has worked in the department’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and has also served in Minnesota Air National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth and has the right skills and experience for the job.

“This position requires a skilled administrator, but it also requires someone who can work with people from a range of backgrounds” Ehlinger stated in a statement.

“Michelle brings a strong background in public policy and administration as well as a history of working with the public health community, law enforcement and security, pharmacists, health care providers and community members. She has the ability to work with people to get things done right.”