Patient preparation
What Does a Medical Cannabis Evaluation Cost at Our Clinic?
Our clinic fee for a medical cannabis evaluation, how it differs from the state's fee, and what the fee does and does not cover.
- Clinic fee: $250 for a new evaluation, $230 for a renewal (recertification) if Dr. Ewals certified you before.
- The state's fee is separate, set by each state, and paid to the state.
- The fee pays for the clinician's evaluation, not for a certification or a card.
- We don't accept insurance. Rescheduling is free, and fees are not refunded.
Cost is one of the first questions people ask, and it deserves a clear answer. The short version: there are usually two separate costs. One is our clinic fee for the medical evaluation. The other is the state's fee for your registration. They are paid to different places, for different things.
Our Clinic Fees
- New patient evaluation: $250
- Renewal (recertification), for patients previously certified by Dr. Ewals: $230
A few details about how this works:
- A $50 deposit holds your appointment. The rest of the fee is due before your visit.
- We don't accept insurance. Medical cannabis evaluations are self-pay at our clinic.
- Rescheduling is free. If something comes up, call us and we will find a new time.
- Fees are not refunded. Please read the next section so you know exactly what you are paying for.
What the Fee Covers, and What It Does Not
Your fee pays for Dr. Charlotte Ewals's time and medical judgment. That includes reviewing your records, taking your history, doing an exam, talking through risks and benefits, and deciding whether a written certification is appropriate.
The fee does not buy a certification, and it does not buy a card. The clinician decides based on your records and exam. If your condition does not qualify under state rules, or if cannabis does not seem safe for you, she will not certify. You will still have received a full evaluation, and the fee is not refunded.
If certification is appropriate, the state still reviews your application and decides whether to issue a card or enroll you. That decision is made by the state, not by our clinic.
If the clinician does not certify you, the visit still has value. She will explain why, tell you whether more records might change the picture, and talk with you about other options for managing your symptoms. If missing records are the only issue, ask us how a follow-up would work before you book again.
The State's Fee Is Separate
North Dakota and Minnesota each run their own program and set their own fees. Those fees can change when laws or rules change, so we don't list amounts here. You pay the state directly, usually when you submit your application or registration online.
To see the current state fee, go to the official source:
- North Dakota: the ND Medical Marijuana Program registration portal and the ND HHS medical marijuana page.
- Minnesota: the Office of Cannabis Management, Division of Medical Cannabis.
If a state offers any reduced fee, the rules for who qualifies are on its official site.
Other Costs to Plan For
Besides the clinic fee and state fee, you may have a few other costs:
- Getting your records. Some offices charge for copies of medical records. Ask your other clinic.
- The products themselves. Medical cannabis is bought separately from state-authorized locations, and prices vary.
- Renewals. Certifications and cards do not last forever. The state sets how long they are valid, and renewing means another clinic visit and another state fee. We will confirm the current validity period with you at your visit.
Questions About Billing
If you have a question about fees, payment, or rescheduling, call us at (218) 274-4500. Our office manager, Will, can walk you through it.
Next Steps
You can read more about our medical cannabis evaluations, or book a visit when you are ready. If you are preparing for a North Dakota visit, see what to bring. If you are renewing, read how renewal differs from a first evaluation.
