The Ohio Medical Board approved three proposed additions to Ohio’s medical marijuana condition list earlier in the year.
In February they determined that three conditions were already applicable to the existing qualification of pain that is chronic and severe or intractable.
The Board added: arthritis, chronic migraines, and complex regional pain syndrome.
They issued a memo two weeks ago confirming the conditions qualify under the existing list. Although the Medical Board has not sent the list to physicians. The memo will be in the monthly newsletter for those who have registered to recommend medical marijuana.
Once a year the medical board will accept submissions for new qualifying conditions to add to the list. Submissions must include evidence cannabis can treat or alleviate the disease or condition. As well as letters of support from physicians. Previously the board added only one condition through this process. In 2020, cachexia joined the list.
2021 Petitions for New Conditions
This year, the board received 30 petitions to add various new conditions.
This week, the committee advanced three conditions for the full board approval. The conditions include Huntington’s disease, spasticity or persistent muscle spasms, and terminal illness.
People dealing with spasticity have their muscles stiffen or tighten and they cannot be stretched. This affects movement and speech.
Earlier the committee rejected petitions for panic disorder, restless leg syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder.
People that wish to get a medical marijuana card need to meet one of the qualifying medical conditions. They also need a recommendation from a state-certified doctor. Doctors are required to have a “bona fide” physician-patient relationship with the patient. They are also expected to provide care for the patient on an ongoing basis.
Currently, Ohio has 22 medical conditions that are on the medical marijuana condition list and qualify residents for the program.
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