Eagan, MN (NNCNOW.com) -- It's been nearly one year since medical cannabis was legalized in Minnesota. Medical marijuana has already made a significant difference for many Minnesotans who suffered tough times before it was legalized.

Visits to the state’s eight cannabis clinics doubled in August, the first month that pain patients were allowed into the program.

Visits to the state’s eight cannabis clinics doubled in August, the first month that pain patients were allowed into the program.

Most medical cannabis patients who completed a survey reported benefits from the medication, according to the results of a voluntary survey of patients enrolled in Minnesota’s medical cannabis program during its first three months.

Wild marijuana grows in yards, gardens, and weedy industrial sites across the Twin Cities.

ST. PAUL -- Severe pain soon will be a reason Minnesotans may use medical marijuana, something supporters say will reduce the need for powerful and often-dangerous prescription medicines.

ST. PAUL -- Severe pain soon will be a reason Minnesotans may use medical marijuana, something supporters say will reduce the need for powerful and often-dangerous prescription medicines.

For the first time in generations, Minnesota farmers are planting hemp.

Expanding the list of qualifying conditions to include intractable pain marks a critical juncture in the year-old program, which is among the most restrictive in the country.

Expanding the list of qualifying conditions to include intractable pain marks a critical juncture in the year-old program, which is among the most restrictive in the country.

John Strohfus, owner of Strohfus Stock Farm in Hastings, grows a lot of things, but recently with the help of his partners Ben Thurmes and Ken Anderson, he’s added hemp to his list and made some history doing it.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Since the passage of the medical marijuana bill in Minnesota, patients across the state have been helped.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Since the passage of the medical marijuana bill in Minnesota, patients across the state have been helped.

Demand for its moisture packs grows along with legal marijuana business.

The state's tightly controlled program has seen high costs and low enrollment. Pain patients might turn the tide.

The state's tightly controlled program has seen high costs and low enrollment. Pain patients might turn the tide.

Not to be confused with illicit marijuana, useful plant draws interest as crop option at U's ag campus.

Not to be confused with illicit marijuana, useful plant draws interest as crop option at U's ag campus.

Minnesotans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will be able to enroll in the state’s medical marijuana program starting Aug. 1, the state Health Department announced Thursday afternoon.

Minnesotans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will be able to enroll in the state’s medical marijuana program starting Aug. 1, the state Health Department announced Thursday afternoon.

ST. PAUL — Legalizing recreational marijuana would fall into the hands of voters if a proposal by State Rep. Jason Metsa, DFL-Virginia, makes its way through the Legislature.

ST. PAUL — Legalizing recreational marijuana would fall into the hands of voters if a proposal by State Rep. Jason Metsa, DFL-Virginia, makes its way through the Legislature.

Severe pain drove this average Minnesotan to seek the comforts of medical cannabis. Here's how things worked out for her.