Medical marijuana company offers discount on supply

Published 8:55 am Tuesday, September 22, 2015

ST. PAUL — Amid criticism of high prices for medical marijuana, one of Minnesota’s manufacturers on Monday announced a discount for patients buying a month’s supply of medicine.

LeafLine Labs’ 15 percent discount could mean anywhere between $15 in savings on some of the company’s less expensive pills, and as much as a $150 discount on more expensive products, chief executive Manny Munson-Regala said. The shift comes after LeafLine’s competitor, Minnesota Medical Solutions, substantially increased its own prices earlier this summer.

Executives at both companies have acknowledged the high prices can be difficult for many patients and vowed to keep driving down costs as the program grows. They already offer a discount to low-income residents, and are working on charitable arms to help buy down costs for some patients.

Email newsletter signup

“This is an option that we hope works for them,” Munson-Regala said of the recent discount.

But it’s unclear whether LeafLine’s move will go far enough to bring down costs. The high prices quickly approach hundreds and even thousands of dollars for a month of medicine, prompting some patients to leave the legal protections of Minnesota’s new law and head back to the black market.